The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is moving ahead with a plan to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. The rule coming from the Interior Department is expected to be out in a week. Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Ashley Kohls says they are pleased with the decision.

Public Lands Council Executive Director Ethan Lane expects environmentalists to challenge the rule in court.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says there are more than 5,000 gray wolves in the United States and more than ten times that many in Canada. Lane says there’s no doubt the gray wolf species has recovered and doesn’t need the ESA protection.

Kohls says the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association will be weighing in when the rule officially comes out and will continue their efforts for legislative relief against the predators.