Anchorage, Alaska - The state Board of Game wants aerial wolf control back up in the air by the weekend. Meeting since 8:30 this morning, board members just finished addressing shortfalls which caused an Anchorage judge to ground the state's controversial program.

Judge Sharon Gleason ruled last week the program needed better scientific justification and must be pared down before pilot-gunner teams can again take to the air. Today, in a teleconference, state Board of Game members voted unanimously to make emergency changes to the program.

One board member, speaking earlier today, said a 2002 study for game management Unit 16B shows ample justification for the state's predator control program.

"The conclusion says that the number one thing they need to do is reduce the wolf population to no more than 20 individual wolves, through aerial wolf control," said Cliff Judkins, Alaska board of game member.

Kevin Saxby, an attorney with the state, says the rule changes will go to the lieutenant governor to be signed. Saxby says he expects the program to be operational by the end of the week.