BREAKING: Flake Reintroduces Bill to Revise Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan 

Protects interests of Arizona cattlemen, sportsmen, and local governments 

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Water and Power Subcommittee, today reintroduced the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan Act. The bill would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to collaborate with states, county governments, and local stakeholders to sustain viable wild wolf populations without adversely impacting livestock, wild game, or recreation.    

Specifically, this legislation would require the USFWS to draft an updated recovery plan for the Mexican gray wolf in Arizona and New Mexico. The plan would need to contain automatic triggers to ensure appropriate action is taken. 

If the agency’s director does not comply with this new recovery plan, state wildlife authorities would be empowered to supplement or assume management of the Mexican gray wolf in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. Upon attainment of the minimum wolf population target, the bill would mandate automatic delisting, returning management of the Mexican gray wolf to the states.  

“The federal government’s outdated management of Mexican gray wolf populations is harming ranchers and our state’s rural communities,” said Flake. “This bill will ease the burdens on rural Arizonans by enhancing local stakeholder participation and state involvement in the recovery process.”