EBS STAFF
On July 14, the Department of the Interior announced a revised proposal that would increase management flexibility for grizzly bears in areas where the species has met federal recovery benchmarks. According to a Department of the Interior press release, the proposal is intended to ensure the Endangered Species Act is implemented as intended while continuing to support the species’ long-term conservation.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum was joined by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Fish and Wildlife Director Brian Nesvik for the announcement.
According to the press release, the revised proposal reflects decades of conservation progress led by states, tribes, federal agencies, private landowners and local communities. The department stated that providing additional management flexibility in areas where conservation benchmarks and population objectives have been achieved would help wildlife managers address conflicts and public safety concerns while continuing to support the long-term conservation of grizzly bears.
“The science is more than clear: grizzly bears have recovered and far exceeded every federal recovery benchmarks. Today, Interior is returning conservation leadership to the Western states instead of Washington bureaucrats,” Burgum stated in the press release. “Under the leadership of President Trump, we’re following the science, upholding the law and ending politics masquerading as conservation.”
The press release states that the revised proposal is intended to reduce regulatory complexity, expand state and tribal management authority and support what the department describes as practical, science-based wildlife management. The rule does not change the grizzly bear’s listing status under the Endangered Species Act and does not affect existing experimental population designations.
Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states were listed as threatened in 1975 and since then, conservation efforts by states, tribes, federal agencies, private landowners and local communities have contributed to recovery progress in several geographic areas.
The department also announced they are reopening a 30-day public comment period on this revision proposal. Supporting documents and instructions on how to participate in the public comment process are available online.
