The Latest on federal legislation regarding recovery of the endangered Mexican gray wolf (all times local):
2:40 p.m.
Federal wildlife officials say they'll be doing a thorough review of legislation introduced by two U.S. senators that would affect endangered Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest.
Arizona Republicans John McCain and Jeff Flake have introduced a measure that would push the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work more closely with states to revamp a decades-old recovery plan for the wolves.
The agency has already agreed as part of a settlement with environmentalists to have a recovery plan crafted by the end of 2017.
Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman John Bradley says the agency appreciates the senators' interest in the wolf and that the goal remains the recovery of the species.
He says the agency will support growth of the population, improvements in genetics and the eventual transfer of management of the species to the states.
Two U.S. senators from the West want state wildlife authorities and ranchers to have more say in how the federal government manages endangered Mexican gray wolves.
Arizona Republicans John McCain and Jeff Flake have introduced legislation that would push the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work more closely with states to revamp a decades-old recovery plan for the wolves.
If the agency fails, states would have authority to step in.
The senators say tens of millions of dollars have been spent on reintroducing wolves in Arizona and New Mexico and the population is still struggling.
The legislation comes as federal wildlife managers consider expanding the wolf's range and as landowners and some local elected leaders push back against what they describe as the trampling of private property and water rights.
Environmentalists argue the legislation is a political ploy.
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