Fairbairn championed state resolution urging the action earlier this year

State Rep. Parker Fairbairn this week celebrated congressional approval for an effort to return wolf management responsibilities to the states. The plan, approved by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, would remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act and allow states to manage wolf populations.

“I commend my colleagues in Washington for taking action to restore states’ rights to manage wolf populations,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “Earlier this year, I led an effort in the state House urging Congress to take this step, and I’m glad they listened. In the Upper Peninsula, wolf populations continue to grow while whitetail deer numbers decline. Returning management authority to the states will allow wildlife experts to make decisions – whether that’s authorizing a hunt, protecting populations, or tailoring policies to local conditions.”

In April, Fairbairn led the state House in adopting House Resolution 30, calling on Congress to return wolf management authority to the states. The effort is also supported by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.

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