The Wyoming Supreme Court must decide whether Gov. Matt Mead was justified in withholding documents regarding grizzly bear management.
Grizzly activist Robert Aland has appealed a recent district court ruling that Mead was justified in withholding records.
Aland had asked Mead for records supporting his contention that the state's grizzly population is healthy enough that federal Endangered Species Act protections are no longer needed.
Mead claims that the state's public records law contains a "deliberative process" exemption that allows him to withhold some materials.
Federal law recognizes such an exception, which covers materials officials rely upon in reaching a final decision.
The Wyoming Supreme Court hasn't said whether the deliberative process exception exists in state law.
