Senate passes bill to manage Utah wolves

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah senators passed a bill Tuesday making wolves an enemy of the state.

The proposed legislation would make it state policy to "manage" wolves to prevent any packs from forming in areas where wolves are no longer listed as an endangered species.

In areas where wolves are still protected, the bill would require state officials to request that federal agencies remove wolves from the state.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, said the legislation allows the state to look ahead.

Senate Democrats rose to debate the bill on Monday but remained largely silent during Tuesday's final Senate passage.

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, spoke against the bill and distributed a fact sheet with statistics about wolf impact in the West.

The bill passed along party lines, 21-8. It will now be considered in the House.

— Josh Smith