WOLF Act

WOlf and Livestock Fairness Act or the WOLF Act

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide emergency relief to producers of livestock with herds adversely affected by Mexican gray wolves.

Additionally, the bill modifies USDA's Livestock Indemnity Program to increase the payment rate from 75% to 100% of the market value of the affected livestock.

The WOLF Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 2695, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress that aims to address the issue of wolf management in certain states. The bill specifically focuses on the management of gray wolves in the states of Wyoming, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.

The WOLF Act seeks to remove gray wolves in these states from the list of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This would effectively transfer the management of gray wolves from the federal government to the individual states, allowing them to implement their own management plans for the species.

Proponents of the bill argue that state management of gray wolves would be more effective and efficient, as states have a better understanding of the local ecosystems and can tailor management strategies to the specific needs of their region. They also argue that removing gray wolves from the endangered species list would help alleviate conflicts between wolves and livestock owners, as states would have more flexibility in managing wolf populations. Opponents of the bill, however, express concerns about the potential impact on gray wolf populations if they are removed from the endangered species list. They argue that state management could lead to increased hunting and trapping of wolves, which could threaten their populations and disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems in which they play a crucial role. Overall, the WOLF Act is a controversial piece of legislation that highlights the complex issues surrounding wildlife management and conservation in the United States. It remains to be seen how the bill will progress through Congress and what its ultimate impact will be on gray wolf populations in the states it addresses.