During Thanksgiving week, it's appropriate to give thanks to important congressional champions for wolves: Nick Joe Rahall (D-WV), George Miller (D-CA), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), and Norm Dicks (D-WA).  As they did last year, last week these congressmen once again weighed in on behalf of Northern Rockies wolves.  As the Bush Administration steamrolls toward a wolf delisting decision before it leaves office, these champions spoke plainly in their November 17th letter: "rushing the process, using the same failed proposal as a basis, will not lead to a constructive solution, and will likely spark more litigation."

So true.  Wyoming's recent release of virtually the same wolf plan that was rejected by Judge Molloy two months ago demonstrates that this state is not ready for the keys to the car of wolf management.  The stage is set for another round of wolf litigation. 

It is worth noting that Yellowstone has always relied on congressional champions from around the country to protect its magnificent natural resources.  Given local opposition, Yellowstone would never have been created as the nation's first park without congressional support from around the USA.  Congressmen Rahall, Miller, Saxton and Dicks are maintaining an important tradition of national champions sticking up for Yellowstone's resources when local decision-makers (here, in cahoots with the Bush administration) drop the ball.

The current wolf delisting plan is a turkey.  Instead of stuffing and dressing it up, Fish and Wildlife Service would be wise to follow the sage advice outlined in the congressional's letter: revise the plan, carefully considering Judge Molloy's ruling, and "allow the next administration to address the inadequacies of the rule."

We are again working through this holiday season on our comments on the latest wolf delisting proposal, as we have done over the last two years; the Bush administration has typically set its comment deadlines during holiday seasons, so as to frustrate public input.  (This one is November 28th, the day after Thanksgiving). 

In this special time of year, it is important to give thanks for the fact that wolves are still here, for the hundreds of wolves that are yet alive and were not hunted down this fall, for Judge Molloy's ruling, and for the support of champions willing to speak out on behalf of wolf recovery in the Northern Rockies.

Please add your voice to the list of wolf champions by going to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNSzkVHbstU and signing your name to NRDC's petition to stop the delisting of gray wolves in the Northern Rockies!