Proposed end of gray-wolf management protection

The management of gray wolves in Washington could soon be exclusively under state control thanks to a proposal announced today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to end federal protection for the species.

While gray wolves statewide are considered endangered under Washington law, the federal Endangered Species Act protects only those in the western two-thirds of the state.

Sen. John Smith, R-Colville, said ending federal protections after three decades of nationwide recovery efforts would signal that wolf populations have reached recovery levels. Smith also credited the legislative action t...