The population is stable now, according to some data, but that doesn't mean there aren't challenges ahead. And the key is to keep the species out from under the Endangered Species Act. The IF&G has made that one of its priorities in its management of the Yellowstone Cutthroats. We've seen how sticky it gets when wolves and grizzlies get all tangled up with the ESA, and IF&G believes that management of those animals could best be done without having to walk the federal government tight-rope.
IF&G Director Virgil Moore addressed the issue at the annual conference of the Henry's Fork Watershed Council. He basically stated that the data has backed up IF&G's management decisions of the Yellowstone Cutthroats, and vice-versa. And that would not have been possible if they hand their hands tied by the ESA.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle has the full write-up here.
