Community Corner
DNR Responds to Wolf Hunt Lawsuit
The DNR formally denied a petition to stop the 2012-2013 Minnesota wolf hunting and trapping season.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has responded to recent legal challenges to the state’s first wolf hunting season.
The DNR has filed a memorandum in opposition to the Center for Biological Diversity and Howling for Wolves' motion for a preliminary injunction on the wolf season on Friday, Sept. 28, with the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
The lawsuit filed in September asks the court to prevent implementation of wolf hunting and trapping rules until the court can issue its decision in the case.
On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the DNR formally denied a petition for rulemaking that was delivered to the agency on Aug. 9. That petition requested that DNR adopt a new rule to stop the 2012-2013 Minnesota wolf hunting and trapping season.
While the DNR will not discuss matters of active or potential litigation, the filed documents and petition response are public information and are available for review on the DNR website by clicking the “Lawsuit Documents” tab.
DNR Communications Director Chris Niskanen said that “the documents speak for themselves” and that the agency would not be commenting on the case until a court ruling has been issued.
Minnesota’s first-ever wolf season is set to open Nov. 3.
The groups filing the lawsuit say Minnesota’s 2001 wolf-management plan provided that wolves would not be hunted or trapped for five years after any removal of their Endangered Species Act protection.
Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In January 2012, the wolves’ federal protection endangered species status was removed. The lawsuit charges that instead of opening a formal comment period, the DNR offered only an online survey. In their response, the DNR says they provided adequate discussion and regularly released information on the plan.
According to the DNR's response, a five-year waiting period is no longer necessary because of the strong growth of the wolf population.
Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The DNR says the 2012 wolf hunting season is not expected to have a significant impact on the state's wolf population but rather will help inform them for future wolf seasons.
Do you agree or disagree with the wolf hunt in Minnesota? Tell us in the comments area below.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
