Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Request for Information on Implementation of the Gray Wolf (Canis Lupus) Nonessential Experimental Population Rule in Colorado

The commenter supports the reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado, citing the program's success in recovering the species and its effectiveness in using nonlethal coexistence tools for livestock producers. They argue that additional reintroductions are necessary to increase genetic diversity and ensure the long-term survival of the wolf population.

ColoradoWild, an advocacy organization, expresses enthusiastic support for the gray wolf reintroduction program in Colorado and the associated 10(j) rule. They argue that the program is a conservation success that promotes ecological balance and advocate for additional wolf reintroductions to ensure long-term population viability.

Marc Cooke, representing Wolves of the Rockies, argues that the federal government should not expand lethal management authorities or intervene in the state-led wolf restoration program. He contends that Colorado Parks and Wildlife should remain the primary authority and that the state needs more time to implement its existing nonlethal conflict prevention measures before the 10(j) framework is modified.

The Colorado Nature League, a nonprofit conservation organization, supports the continued implementation of the 10(j) Rule for gray wolves in Colorado. They argue that the program is currently successful, that more wolves are needed to create a self-sustaining population, and that the state's nonlethal deterrence and compensation programs are effective.

Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics (FSEEE), a nonprofit organization, supports the continued implementation of the Colorado gray wolf reintroduction program under the 10(j) Rule. They argue that the program is successfully meeting the Endangered Species Act's recovery mandate and advocate for improved funding, better communication with producers, and the creation of an independent advisory board to manage the program effectively.

Friends of Animals, a non-profit advocacy organization, urges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore full Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for gray wolves in Colorado. They argue that the current Section 10(j) rule allows for excessive lethal management and that the population is currently too small to sustain such removals.

The Center for Biological Diversity, representing several conservation organizations, supports the restoration of gray wolves in Colorado and the use of the 10(j) rule to facilitate this process. They argue that wolf reintroduction is a democratically approved initiative that benefits ecosystem health and that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should prioritize wolf conservation over the interests of the livestock industry.

Earth Justice is submitting comments on behalf of nearly 30,000 individuals to support the continued implementation of Colorado's wolf reintroduction program. They argue that the program successfully aids the recovery of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act and urge the federal government to support, rather than interfere with, this state-led initiative.