Part of State Wolf Document Request Rejected

Cheyenne, WY – The federal government is saying "no" to part of Wyoming's request for documents related to the rejection of the state's plan to manage wolves. The state attorney general's office plans to appeal the decision. Wyoming requested the documents from the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service in late January under the Freedom of Information Act. In a letter sent Monday to state deputy attorney general Jennifer Golden, the Fish and Wildlife Service said it needs more time to provide some documents because it is compiling them for a lawsuit in federal court in Oregon over wolves. The agency rejected release of other documents because they reflect the personal opinions and recommendations of Fish and Wildlife staff. Wyoming is preparing to sue the federal government over the rejection of its wolf-management plan. That lawsuit could be ready next week.