Press release from Sen. Mike Enzi

Date: 10/13/2005

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., in a letter to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, urged the Secretary to move the delisting process for the wolf and grizzly bear forward.

If a final decision to delist the grizzly does not occur in early 2006 Enzi requested the department explain the reasons for its inaction.

Enzi expressed his frustration with the delisting process for the wolf and grizzly bear in Wyoming in the letter sent on Oct. 11.

"I have been told many times that we will move forward with grizzly bear delisting and I am disappointed that this effort has not moved forward," wrote Enzi. "If this time line is not achievable, please provide me with reasons that such is not the case."

The Canadian gray wolf and the grizzly bear have met their recovery levels in Wyoming and Enzi believes the delisting effort is ready to move forward. It is estimated that 600 grizzly bears live in the Greater Yellowstone Area and 900 wolves inhabit Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.