This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Re "Value of wolves: Feds must maintain some oversight" (Our View, June 11):
Big Game Forever, Wildlife Resources and creative attorney Ryan Benson convinced the Utah Legislature they should get $300,000 to "pursue legal and legislative solutions" regarding gray wolves, which have not been reintroduced in Utah.
In other words, Benson gets paid by the Legislature to contact legislators and others to exercise authority over a non-existent gray wolf. I really wonder how Benson spent the $300,000 the Legislature gave this year — and the $300,000 it gave last year. Can't wait to read the summary report he is required to submit to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources by June 30.
If the feds do remove the gray wolf from the list of endangered species, how much more money will Utah's Legislature have to provide to manage a non-existent wolf? Many state officials would manage the gray wolf using the law firm of Colt, Smith & Wesson.
Alden H. Laney
Salt Lake City