S. 2277 — Introduced in Senate

II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2277 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 4, 2018Mr. Flake introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To require the delisting of Mexican gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 on a determination that the subspecies has been sufficiently recovered in the United States. 1. Delisting of Mexican gray wolves (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Director The term Director means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2) Mexican gray wolf (A) In general The term Mexican gray wolf means the subspecies Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) of the species gray wolf (Canis lupus). (B) Inclusion The term Mexican gray wolf includes any subspecies, distinct population segment, or experimental population of the species gray wolf (Canis lupus) that the Director determines after the date of enactment of this Act will take the place of, or correspond with, the subspecies designated as Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) on that date of enactment. (b) Requirement Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations), effective beginning on the date on which the Director makes a positive determination under subsection (c)— (1) the Mexican gray wolf shall no longer be included on any list of endangered species, threatened species, or experimental populations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and (2) management of the Mexican gray wolf shall be assumed by each State in which the Mexican gray wolf is present, effective beginning on the date of the determination. (c) Determination by Director (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall determine whether a population of not fewer than 100 Mexican gray wolves in a 5,000-square-mile area within the historic range of the Mexican gray wolf has been established, as described in the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan of 1982 prepared by the Mexican Wolf Recovery Team (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1982. Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 103 pp.). (2) Standards and procedures A determination under paragraph (1) shall be made in accordance with applicable standards and procedures used by the Director in determining the status of a species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).