Gray wolves and grizzly bears.

WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL
House
JOINT RESOLUTION
.
HJ0004

ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2016 Budget Session

A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress to seek removal of the gray wolf and grizzly bear populations from listing under the endangered species act and to assist in funding programs and services for gray wolf and grizzly bear management.

WHEREAS,
gray wolf and grizzly bear predation on livestock and big game species is resulting in economic losses in the state of Wyoming; and

WHEREAS,

the
cost
to manage
gray wol
ves
and grizzly bear
s
and
to
compensate
individuals and entities
for damage caused by these species
is

significantly greater than can be sustained through existing budgets of the responsible state
and federal
agencies; a
nd

WHEREAS,
gray wolf and grizzly bear populations are
recovered
and
these species
should therefore be removed from the list of
experimental nonessential population,
endangered species
or threatened species in Wyoming
in order
for
the
s
tate

to effectively manage these
species
; and

WHEREAS,

federal funding
is essential

to assist the state in compensating individuals and entities for losses caused by gray wolves and grizzly bears

now and
after the date
these species
are removed from the list
of
experimental nonessential population,
endangered species
or threatened species in Wyoming
;
and

WHEREAS,
such federal support in compensating individuals and entities
for losses
will increase acceptance of these wildlife species
in Wyoming and continue the healthy and
self
‑
sustaining populations of gray wolves and grizzly bears in the
s
tate.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:

Section 1
.

That the Wyoming
l
egislature calls on Congress
and the United States Fish and Wildlife Services
to speedily
seek
remov
al of

the
gray wolf and grizzly bear populations from the list of
experimental nonessential population,
endangered species
or threatened species in Wyoming
, by all means available
.

Section 2.

That the Wyoming legislature calls on Congress to immediately and fully fund all necessary programs and services for gray wolf and grizzly bear management, particularly programs and services to compensate individuals and entities for losses caused by these wildlife species.

Section 3.

That the Wyoming legislature calls on Congress to assist in funding the necessary programs and services indicated in section 2 of this resolution after the date the gray wolf and grizzly bear populations are removed from the list of experimental nonessential population, endangered species or threatened species in Wyoming.

Section
4.

That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress
,
to the Wyoming Congressional Delegation
and to the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1