WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today criticized the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to move closer to listing the Alexander Archipelago wolf as a threatened species and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act.

“I was disappointed to hear that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had decided to move ahead with listing the Alexander Archipelago wolf as endangered,” Murkowski said. “This decision will further lock up Southeast Alaska and restrict economic development.”

The Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday will publish a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf as threatened or endangered, meaning it has been decided there is enough information to warrant a continued review. Publication of the finding will open up a 60-day comment period. 

“I find it ironic and more than a mere coincidence that this administration would decide to take this step right after the 9^th Circuit Court overturned the roadless rule in the Tongass,” Murkowski said. “This will have real and lasting ramifications on the economy of Southeast. That, to me, is unacceptable.”

Murkowski is Alaska’s senior senator and the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 

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