Sullivan Statement on USFWS Decision to Not List the Alexander Archipelago Wolf
ANCHORAGE, AK — U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision that the Alexander Archipelago wolves in Southeast Alaska do not warrant protection as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA):
“I commend the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for following sound science, instead of the political whims of Outside interest groups, to determine that the wolves in Southeast Alaska do not warrant protection as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. I’m also pleased that the agency determined that wolves on Prince of Wales and nearby islands do not qualify as a distinct population segment for listing consideration under the ESA.
“As I wrote to Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe last month, the ‘listing of wolves in Southeast Alaska will have serious consequences, particularly in regards to land management on the Tongass National Forest and on the few private, state, and Alaska Native owned lands in the region.’ I sent Director Ashe the most recent studies on the wolves and urged him not to make a decision lightly. I’m pleased that he and his agency listened to Alaskans on this matter. And I hope that the agency will continue to make its determinations based on science rather than politics.”
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