ELR Citation: 51 ELR 20186
No(s). 4:18-CV-00047-TUC-JGZ and 4:18-CV-00048-TUC-JGZ (D. Ariz. Oct 14, 2021) (Zipps, J.)

A district court granted in part and denied in part environmental groups' motion for summary judgment in a challenge to FWS' recovery plan for the Mexican gray wolf. The groups argued the plan violated the ESA by failing to include site-specific management actions for conservation and objective, measurable criteria for delisting the species. The court found the plan included objective, measurable criteria to assess the threat of human-caused mortality, the threat from inadequate regulatory mechanisms, genetic threats, and threats to habitat, but did not contain site-specific actions to address the recognized threat of illegal killings, and that FWS failed to offer an explanation as to why it was impracticable to include such actions. It remanded to FWS to draft a recovery plan that includes site-specific management actions.