Rehberg to host gray wolf hearing Oct. 6 in Kalispell

Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., announced this week that he will host three hearings — including one in Kalispell on Oct. 6 — on the impacts of relisting gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

Rehberg is interested in a legislative solution.

Last week, he began circulating a draft bill to amend the Endangered Species Act to delist the gray wolf in Montana and Idaho and turn wolf management over to the sole jurisdiction of those states.

“After hearing from literally thousands of Montanans over the past several weeks at listening sessions and through the Internet, I recognize that the frustration is well past the boiling point and federal legislation is likely necessary,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Western Caucus.

“It’s time to start working toward a solution that works for Montanans, not just powerful out-of-state interest groups.”

The Oct. 6 meeting in Kalispell will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology building.

That hearing will be preceded by similar events on Oct. 5 in Dillon and Hamilton.

The panels, hosted by Rehberg, will take questions and discuss the best path forward. The public is encouraged to attend.