Very brief synopsis and a very few supporting references:  More info

The bill as amended on Jan 30, 2003.

    2003 STATE OF WYOMING 03LS0-0364

        SENATE FILE NO. SF0097

Wyoming’s wildlife.

Sponsored by:  Senator(s) Roberts and Representative(s) Cooper, Luthi and Olsen

A BILL

for

1   AN ACT relating to wildlife; asserting the state’s

2    exclusive    jurisdiction    over    wildlife;    prohibiting

3 activities in conflict with that exclusive jurisdiction;

4 imposing specified duties upon the game and fish commission

5 pertaining to wildlife introduced within this state; and

6 providing for an effective date.

7

8   Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

9

10 Section 1. W.S. 23-1-302 by creating new subsections

11  (m) and (n) is amended to read:

12

13 23-1-302. Powers and duties.

14

15 (in)  For purposes of mitigating detrimental impacts to

16 Wyoming  from  the  introduction  of  any  wildlife  species

17  including endangered species,  which have been or may be
18  introduced,  planted or propagated in Wyoming, excluding Yellowstone National Park, by any
19  person, including any federal agency, the commission shall:

20           (i)  Prohibit  by  rule  any  such  introduction,
21  reintroduction,  propagation or management of any wildlife
22  species within the boundaries of Wyoming, excluding Yellowstone National Park, by any person,
23  including any federal agency, other than the department;

24      (n)  For purposes of proper management of all wildlife
25  species within Wyoming, excluding Yellowstone National Park, the commission shall:

 

26           (i)  Notify all federal agencies operating within
27  Wyoming,  whose  duties  directly  affect  wildlife,  public
28  lands,   or   the   environment,   that   Wyoming   has  sole
29  jurisdiction  over  any  and  all  wildlife  existing  within
30  Wyoming, excluding Yellowstone National Park, and  will  exercise  exclusive  management  of  all
31  wildlife;

32  (o) For the purpose of assuring compliance with the terms of this act:

34      (i)  Not later than September 1, 2003, the commission shall report to the joint travel recreation and wildlife committee regarding the responsiveness and cooperation of the federal government in enabling the commission in carrying out its duties under this act.

        (ii)  The attorney general is hereby directed to prepare a plan of litigation for the state of Wyoming to establish its sole management authority over all species of wildlife within its boundaries, excluding Yellowstone National Park, and transfer to the State of Wyoming all responsibility for management and protection of any and all species of wildlife within Wyoming excluding Yellowstone National Park. This plan, together with the attorney general’s estimate of the potential cost of such litigation shall be forwarded to the joint travel, recreation and wildlife committee not later than September 1, 2003.  It is further suggested that the state Attorney General offer advice by Sept. 1 regarding which other federal areas, other than Yellowstone National Park, should be excluded from sole management authority. 

         Section 2.         This act is effective immediately upon

 completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law

 as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

     (END)

                SF0097