In order to restore western ecosystems to something resembling a pre-Columbian state, you would have to make a national park out of the Rocky Mountains all the way from Mexico to way up in Canada. Same for the Cascades. I think that would be awesome. Millions of ranchers, minors, loggers, and other people who make their living utilizing those lands do not think it would be awesome. So restoring the western Wilds to a pre white man condition is a pipe dream. We have to do the best we can to preserve the wilderness we have left and manage the animals that are in it.
Animals like wolves and grizzly that have a fairly high, somewhat negative impact on human economic and recreational activities will always have a controversial place in that managed ecosystem. ideally, the people who are most impacted by these re-introduction projects should have more of a voice. But that’s not the way politics works in this country. On both sides of the political spectrum, it appears the loudest and stupidest voices often triumph. Well- reasoned and nuanced positions on almost any subject Don’t make good political slogans, and won’t get you elected.