(I) essential to the conservation of the species and (II) which may require special management considerations or protection; and

(ii) specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this Act, upon a determination by the Secretary that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species.

Species protected under the act "includes any subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants", but the term "wildlife" includes "any member of the animal kingdom".

Among the 3.5 million square miles of land in the United States, there is surely some land with unique physical and biological features that will support this dying population.

With a little "special management consideration" on some of the 724 million acres owned by the federal government, this population might flourish as it did in the past.

Private lands or "specific areas outside the geographical area occupied" can also be taken for critical habitat, when necessary for survival of an endangered or threatened species.

Maybe the nonprofit corporations of America are willing to part with some of their millions of acres of land for a good cause.

If the Sierra Club won't do it, perhaps it is time for some worthy organization like the Farm Bureau or the Farmers Union to file a petition for listing and bring this matter to a test.

This species is certainly a member of the animal kingdom. They are certainly a distinct population. They clearly are threatened by major long term decline and urban sprawl. Only about 10 percent of the original viable population remains on its traditional range.

Our most valuable "threatened species" is the American farmer.

Maybe the law is not too broad after all. If it can save the wolf, it should be able do the same for the guys who feeds us.