This bill requires the government to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list based on scientific findings about their population status.
Trust the Science Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to remove protections for the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Specifically, the bill requires Interior to reissue the final rule titled Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and published on November 3, 2020. The rule removed the gray wolf in the lower 48 United States, except for the Mexican wolf (C. l. baileyi) subspecies, from the endangered and threatened species list. However, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the rule on February 10, 2022. As a result, the gray wolf reattained the protection status it had prior to the rule's promulgation. The bill also prohibits the reissuance of the rule from being subject to judicial review.
1. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to take action within 60 days. 2. It mandates the reissuance of a rule that removes gray wolves from the endangered species list. 3. This change is based on scientific assessments of gray wolf populations. 4. The bill prevents any court from reviewing the decision to remove gray wolves from the list.
This bill affects wildlife conservation efforts and may impact local communities and farmers in areas where gray wolves are present.