Wolves in Utah

First Published Mar 13 2013 

 

Utah owes a thank-you to Paul Rolly for exposing the shenanigans in its Legislature. Most recently, the proposed appropriation of $300,000 of our tax money for Washington anti-wolf lobbyists ("Saving Red Riding Hood," Tribune, March 4). It would be more laughable if it were not such a waste in a state with so many unmet needs.

To add insult to injury, this waste of tax dollars goes to oppose wolves in Utah, something a majority of Utahns support. Wolves are native to Utah, but they were killed off by 1930.

Utah has plenty of space for wolves, such as in the Uinta Mountains, the Tavaputs Plateau, the Abajo Mountains and Elk Ridge and the Tushar Mountains. All that is missing is tolerance, understanding and a willingness to live with the full web of life in which wolves play a necessary balancing role.

Many Utahns want to hear wolves howl in the national forests in Utah. The Legislature should hear our voices, too, not just the special interests of the ranching and hunting lobbies.

Bob Brister Membership and wildlife coordinator Utah Environmental Congress

Salt Lake City

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