The federal government has put forth a proposal to establish a new protected region for grizzly bears, while also permitting citizens to kill these bears under specific circumstances. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a comprehensive plan on Wednesday to designate a new geographic area covering Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming where grizzly bears would be safeguarded under the Endangered Species Act. Since 1975, grizzlies have been protected under the act in all lower 48 states, but the proposed rule would lift protections in all areas outside of the newly defined region.
In regions without federal safeguards, grizzly bears would be subject to state laws and management regulations. In these protected areas, citizens would have the ability to kill grizzly bears, but only under particular conditions. For example, in Idaho, it would be permissible to kill a grizzly that harms livestock or domestic animals, and in Montana, the same would apply if livestock is threatened. If the Endangered Species Act no longer applies, Wyoming could potentially establish a hunting season for grizzly bears.
The exact population of grizzly bears in the areas outside the proposed region remains unclear. Typically, grizzlies are only found in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and occasionally in Washington within the lower 48 states. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated that protecting grizzly bears outside the Rockies is unnecessary since they do not inhabit those regions presently nor are they expected to do so in the future.
“This reclassification will aid in the recovery of grizzly bears and lay a stronger foundation for their eventual removal from the Endangered Species Act,” remarked Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Various politicians and environmental groups have expressed differing 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 filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for not acknowledging the state’s petition to delist grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act. Idaho Governor Brad Little criticized the agency for ignoring the fact that grizzlies had met and surpassed recovery milestones years ago. Little directed state agencies to thoroughly review the proposed rule to understand the reasoning behind the decision, which he believes disregards scientific data and collaborative efforts that have led to the successful recovery and conservation of grizzly bears.
Under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will explore the possibility of delisting a species if its habitat is no longer threatened.
The criteria for delisting animals from the Endangered Species Act are not straightforward. Factors such as habitat destruction, over-utilization, disease, predation, and other natural or man-made influences must be considered. Currently, the grizzly bear population occupies just 4% of its historical range, which once spanned the Rocky Mountain Region, extending into western and central Canada and northern Mexico. WildEarth Guardians, an environmental nonprofit, reports that the population of grizzly bears has dwindled to fewer than 2,200 from an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 individuals that roamed the region in the past.
Environmental groups including the Endangered Species Coalition, Friends of the Bitterroot, Friends of the Clearwater, WildEarth Guardians, and Wyoming Wildlife have voiced their disappointment at the proposal to remove protections for grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. They argue that habitat loss and climate change continue to pose significant threats to the species, and the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming are ill-equipped to manage grizzly bear populations due to their adoption of anti-predator policies that could hinder the species’ recovery.
Critics of the plan are also concerned about the increased flexibility it offers to management agencies and individuals, fearing that this may lead to a rise in grizzly bear mortality rates. The environmental organizations emphasize the need for continued protection and conservation efforts to ensure the long-term recovery of grizzly bears in the region.
The new comprehensive plan is set to be published in the Federal Register in the coming days, as confirmed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Following publication, a 60-day public comment period will allow individuals to provide feedback on the proposed plan. In-person public comment meetings are scheduled to take place from late January to early February, offering stakeholders an opportunity to engage directly with the authorities on the matter.
Once the public comment period concludes, further discussions on the rule and its implications will be held to address any concerns or suggestions raised during the feedback process. The fate of the grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states hangs in the balance as stakeholders, environmental groups, and government agencies navigate the complexities of wildlife conservation and management.
