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Northeast Status

Classification of a species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act applies to individual states, which can also choose whether to list a species under their own wildlife laws. For states to receive federal funds for wildlife programs, they are required to develop a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS).  These strategies—submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in late 2005—determine which species and habitats will be a focus for conservation efforts. (For information on the CWCS process, go to http://www.teaming.com.)

One of CREW’s goals is to ensure that the wolf is included on the Northeast states’ lists of endangered and threatened species and is part of their conservation strategies. This would guarantee protections for wolves that migrate to the region on their own, even if a federal recovery program isn’t in place or if federal protections are reduced. Currently, the legal status of the wolf in the Northeast varies by state:

Maine considers the wolf to be a species of “special concern.” Because there is no established open season for wolves, the animals cannot be hunted or trapped under state law, but no special protections are in place. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has given the wolf “priority 2” status on the CWCS lists, in recognition that there is some probability of a wolf population naturally establishing itself (that is, reintroduction is not the only option for recovery). For more information: www.teaming.com/state_cwcs/maine_cwcs.htm

New Hampshire does not include the wolf on its list of endangered and threatened species protected by state law. However, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department classifies the wolf as a species associated with “critical” habitats in the state for which conservation measures will be taken under the CWCS. For more information: www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/wildlife_plan.htm

New York classifies the wolf as “endangered” under state law (with a special ranking as “apparently extirpated”). The wolf is included on the New York Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources’ list of species with the “greatest conservation need,” which forms the basis for action under the CWCS. For more information: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/swg/index.html

Vermont does not include the wolf on its list of endangered and threatened species protected by state law. The wolf is classified as being of “medium priority” on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s list of species with the “greatest conservation need,” which forms the basis for action under the CWCS. For more information: www.vtfishandwildlife.com/SWG_list.cfm