State's wolf policy is on track

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s decision to have his state wash its hands of anything to do with wolf management was a bold statement, but we’re pleased that Montana is not following his lead.

Idaho is ending its involvement with managing wolves, Otter says, because it no longer wants to be “complicit” with the federal government in protecting wolves under the Endangered Species Act. That’s one way of looking at it.

But bucking the feds could lead to long-term troubles for the state of Idaho, with potential impacts on Montana, in the effort to remove wolves from ESA protection. Vigilante “control actions” aimed at Idaho wolves would undermine the potential for delisting of wolves in the Northern Rockies.

As it stands, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials have considerable latitude and discretion in dealing with wolves, and the state of Montana receives just over $600,000 annually to monitor and manage wolves. Giving that responsibility and authority back to the feds doesn’t make sense.

The state should maintain and pursue even more authority in managing wolves, and it should continue seeking to delist wolves and a restored legal wolf hunt, even if it takes an act of Congress.

Some of the Flathead Valley’s most famous musical exports starred Thursday on a national stage.

The von Trapp children — Sofia, Melanie, Amanda and Justin — joined a special “Sound of Music” segment on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” The four children of Stefan and Annie von Trapp, who live between Kalispell and Somers, added Oprah’s popular

show to their growing list of accomplishments.

The young singers are the great-grandchildren of Capt. Georg and Maria von Trapp, who were made famous in the 1965 movie, “The Sound of Music.” Our local von Trapp musicians are carving their own musical path with nationwide concert tours, a half-dozen CDs and a recently released performance DVD.

The appearance on Oprah’s show is just the latest accomplishment of these talented singers.