Rep. Matt Rosendale, U.S. Representative for Montana's 2nd District | Official U.S. House headshot
Rep. Matt Rosendale, U.S. Representative for Montana's 2nd District | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Matt Rosendale of Montana has expressed his concerns over the recent listing of the North American wolverine as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Rep. Rosendale, along with Senator Daines and Rep. Zinke, had previously sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requesting a postponement of the decision by 120 days, a request that was never answered.
Rep. Rosendale's comments highlight the fact that the estimates used to make this decision were based on a decade-old population study that even the USFWS itself admitted was "lacking or based on very sparse data." Without adequate data to demonstrate that the species is in danger of declining, Rep. Rosendale argues that there are no grounds for listing it as threatened.
"Our state cannot afford to restrict the activities and recreation of its residents based on projections and models that may not materialize and do not meet the requirements listed in federal law," said Rep. Rosendale. He further emphasizes that the ESA was intended to protect declining animal and plant populations, not as a means for expanding federal government influence over private and state lands.
Rep. Rosendale strongly urges the USFWS to reverse the listing, stating that it is an unwarranted action that prioritizes the desires of federal agencies over the livelihoods of Americans.
The background to this issue reveals some important points. In 2020, USFWS assessments indicated that the loss of wolverine habitat due to climate change and other factors is less significant than previously suggested in a 2013 assessment. The recent USFWS Species Status Assessment (SSA) acknowledges that there are still uncertainties regarding the impact of snow dynamics on wolverine populations in the future.
Furthermore, the USFWS requested data on the historical and current status of wolverines, including additional populations, but this information was inexplicably omitted from the proposed rule recommending the wolverine as an endangered species.
In 2022, U.S. District of Montana Judge David Molloy ordered the USFWS to issue a new determination. However, the agency has not met the necessary criteria for listing a species under the ESA, as required by federal law.
It remains to be seen whether the USFWS will reconsider the listing of the North American wolverine as a threatened species in light of Rep. Rosendale's comments and the lack of sufficient data supporting the decision.
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