The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has opened a public scoping period regarding the restoration of grizzly bears to the Bitterroot Ecosystem of Montana and Idaho.
The ecosystem is one of six grizzly bear recovery zones in the lower 48 states, USFWS said. In late 2000, the agency issued a plan to reintroduce bears to the ecosystem but has yet to take any action.
In early 2023, a district court declared the agency unreasonably delayed action and ordered the agency to produce a final environmental impact statement and record of decision by November 2026.
USFWS has opened a public comment period through March 18. Comments may be submitted by searching for docket ID FWS-R6-ES-2023-0203 at regulations.gov.
