CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Governors of two western states say the process of removing Endangered Species Act protections from species that have rebounded in number ought to be more straightforward and predictable.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock testified Tuesday before a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Montana and Wyoming both are home to wolves and grizzly bears, animals that have bounced off and back on the endangered and threatened lists even though their numbers are up significantly.

Republican senators are looking into possible Endangered Species Act reforms. Mead likewise has made changing the act a priority now that he is chairman of the Western Governors' Association.

Mead says long-term uncertainty over the status of threatened and endangered species translates into uncertainty for business.

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