The federal government is proposing a new rule to establish additional protection for grizzly bears, while also allowing citizens to legally kill the bears in specific situations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a plan on Wednesday that would designate a new geographic region spanning Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming where grizzly bears would be safeguarded under the Endangered Species Act. This rule would remove protections for grizzlies outside of this region, subjecting them to state laws and management regulations.
Within the protected regions, citizens would be permitted to kill grizzly bears under certain conditions. For instance, in Idaho, it would be permissible to kill a grizzly if it poses a threat to livestock or domestic animals. In Montana, killing a grizzly would be allowed if it harms livestock. Wyoming could potentially implement a grizzly bear hunting season without the constraints of the Endangered Species Act.
The exact population of grizzlies residing in the areas outside the newly proposed protected region is uncertain. Generally, grizzly bears are found in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and occasionally in Washington within the lower 48 states. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, protecting grizzly bears beyond the Rockies is deemed unnecessary since they do not inhabit those regions and are not anticipated to do so in the future. Martha Williams, the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stated that this reclassification aims to boost grizzly bear recovery efforts and lay a stronger foundation for potential delisting from the Endangered Species Act.
Various politicians and environmental organizations have expressed their opinions on the proposed rule. Politicians from Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming have been advocating for state management of grizzly bear populations in recent years. In 2023, Idaho took legal action against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to acknowledge the state’s request to remove grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act. The state argued that the grizzly bear population had rebounded significantly from historical lows and had begun encroaching into unsuitable areas, posing risks to public safety. According to Idaho Governor Brad Little, the decision to reject the delisting petition overlooks scientific evidence and the collaborative efforts that have contributed to the successful recovery and conservation of grizzly bears.
Under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will evaluate the status of an animal for potential delisting if its habitat is no longer deemed at risk.
The criteria for delisting animals from the Endangered Species Act are not definitive, as there are various factors to consider. Grizzly bears, for example, currently inhabit just 4% of their historical range, which once spanned a significant portion of the Rocky Mountain Region, reaching into western and central Canada, as well as northern Mexico. Estimates suggest that the population of grizzly bears in this vast expanse used to number between 50,000 and 100,000 individuals, but now, only around 2,200 grizzlies remain.
Several environmental organizations, including the Endangered Species Coalition, Friends of the Bitterroot, Friends of the Clearwater, WildEarth Guardians, and Wyoming Wildlife, have expressed disappointment in a recent proposal to remove protections for grizzly bears in certain states. In a joint statement, these groups conveyed their concerns about the lack of preparedness in states such as Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming to effectively manage grizzly populations. They highlighted the threat of habitat loss and climate change, emphasizing that the recovery of grizzly bears is far from complete.
Moreover, the organizations raised apprehensions about the potential consequences of granting greater flexibility to management agencies and individuals, fearing that this could lead to increased mortality rates among grizzly bears. The proposal to relax regulations has sparked criticism from conservationists who argue that such a move may impede the recovery efforts for this iconic species.
The new plan, which is set to be unveiled in the Federal Register in the coming days, will undergo a 60-day public comment period once published. This period will allow stakeholders and concerned individuals to voice their opinions on the proposed changes. Additionally, in-person public comment meetings are scheduled to take place from late January to early February, offering further opportunities for engagement with the community.
Following the conclusion of the public comment period, there will be continued discussions on the implications of the proposed rule and its potential impacts on grizzly bear conservation efforts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is facilitating this process to ensure that public input is considered before any decisions are finalized.
For more information on the meeting dates and locations, interested parties can visit fws.gov/grizzlyrulemaking. Stay informed about the latest developments regarding the protection of grizzly bears by following national trending reporter Greta Cross at USA TODAY on X and Instagram @gretalcross. For story suggestions or inquiries, reach out to Greta Cross at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY, highlighting the uncertain future of grizzly bear protections and the ongoing debate surrounding their conservation status across different states.
