Feds try again to 'delist' wolves in MN, WI, MI

The federal government is making a fourth run at removing gray wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan from the Endangered Species List.

The Fish and Wildlife Service says it will publish a notice in the Federal Register on Tuesday in response to petitions filed by Minnesota, Wisconsin and several groups to take the gray wolf off the list in the western Great Lakes region, which has about 4,000 wolves.

Publication will start a new 12-month review to determine if "delisting" the wolf in the region is warranted, including a 60-day public comment period.

The federal government's three previous efforts failed - blocked by courts or withdrawn over procedural errors.

Environmental groups are fighting the proposal. Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity said Monday the government needs a national wolf recovery plan instead.

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