Gov. Otter signs Idaho wolf disaster declaration into law despite federal delisting

• THE ASSOCIATED PRESS  
• April 19, 2011

BOISE, Idaho — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has signed a bill into law that will allow him to declare a wolf disaster emergency in Idaho.

The governor signed the bill Tuesday, even though Congress already took action this month to strip federal protections from wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains. Otter says he also has concerns about undermining his own statutory authority to declare such disasters, with the new state law.

The measure allows the governor to enlist local law enforcement agents to reduce Idaho's wolf population, which at 800 animals makes up about half of the wolves in the region.

Otter says despite the federal delisting and his concerns, portions of the new law could prove useful if the predators are ever relisted under the under the Endangered Species Act.

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