WASHINGTON - Ranchers in Montana and Idaho would be able to kill wolves caught harassing their livestock under a proposed rule announced by Interior Department Secretary Gale Norton Wednesday.

Norton said the rule is a temporary alternative to removing wolves from the endangered species list. She said it would give them the "maximum amount of authority under the Endangered Species Act."

The increased latitude for ranchers is part of a larger rule that aims to give officials in the two states more authority to manage wolves within their state borders. Under current law, ranchers can only kill a wolf that is actually attacking livestock.

The rule also would allow states to kill wolves if deer, elk and moose populations are declining. Under current law wolves may be relocated, but not killed, to protect game populations.

The proposed rule received a warm reception from livestock organizations, but mixed reviews from environmental groups.

To remove wolves from the list, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming all must have wolf management plans approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Idaho and Montana's plans have been OK'd, but Wyoming's was rejected.

"Wolf populations now far exceed their recovery goals under the act in the northern Rocky Mountains, and Idaho and Montana have both crafted responsible wolf management plans for their states," Norton said. "Although we are unable at this time to continue with the process to delist the wolf population in the region because we do not have approved plans for all three states, we believe that it is appropriate for us to pursue as much local management for this recovered wolf population as we can."

Under the proposed rule, ranchers would be able to kill wolves that are attacking their livestock or if "there is a reasonable belief that such attacks are imminent." They would not need a permit in such instances and they would only have this power on private lands.

"As it is now we have to find them with a calf in their mouth before we can shoot them," Montana Stockgrowers Association Executive Vice President Steve Pilcher said. "This is obviously a step in the right direction and it's reasonable. Let's face it, if a wolf is staring at a calf, he's not about to introduce himself."

Nina Fascione, Defenders of Wildlife's vice president of species conservation, was appalled by the proposed change.

"It's a scary proposal," Fascione said. "What constitutes harassing is unclear. If a wolf is a mile from a ranch, can that be considered harassing? If they were going to be this lenient, why didn't they accept the Wyoming plan?"

Besides allowing ranchers to kill wolves that are harassing their livestock, the new rule also would allow ranchers to get a permit to kill wolves if the wolves are harassing their domestic animals.

Ranchers would be able to get permits for both private and public lands.

Ranchers praised the domestic animal provision.

"It is a recognition that a major problem for us is wolves attacking guard dogs," Pilcher said.

In the area of killing wolves if populations of deer, elk and moose are declining, Craig Manson, Interior Department assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks, said the rule does not include a definition of "acceptable levels."

"We anticipate working very closely with the states' fish and wildlife services to set those goals," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steven Williams said. "We will rely heavily on the states' expertise in that area."

Fascione said she is concerned that if the game populations decline because of overhunting, Idaho and Montana officials will blame the decline on wolves and use the rule to kill wolves.

Jon Schwedler with Bozeman-based Predator Conservation Alliance said he hoped the proposed rule would lead Wyoming lawmakers to change the state plan.

"It sends a message to the folks in Wyoming that they need to put together a more responsible plan or they will be cut out of the process," Schwedler said.

"We're glad to hear it," Lara Azar, press secretary for Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, said. "We don't want any actions in Wyoming to harm Montana and Idaho."

Norton said the rule would be published in the federal register sometime during the next few days. Once it is published, there will be a 60-day comment period. After Fish and Wildlife Service employees review the comments and consider possible changes, a final rule would be published.