USDA, Minnesota Agree To Provide $220K For Wolf Control

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state of Minnesota have agreed on a plan to provide $220,000 to control gray wolves that prey on livestock.

The announcement came Wednesday from U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson. The Minnesota Democrat calls it welcome news for farmers and ranchers who haven't been allowed to shoot or trap wolves that threaten their livestock since a federal judge in December put wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan back on the endangered list.

Under the agreement, the USDA and state will each provide $110,000 to fund wolf damage management work through Sept. 30.

Peterson says he'll continue working to return wolf management in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan back to the states.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin and Michigan plan to appeal the court ruling.