After the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reviewed petitions filed by the states of Montana and Wyoming to delist the grizzly bear, the agency will now initiate a status review of the bear in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE).
USFWS found the petitions presented substantial information to indicate the grizzly bear in the NCDE and the GYE may qualify as their own population segments and may warrant removal from the ESA list. A third petition, from the state of Idaho, was found to not contain substantial, credible information. The petition sought to delist the bear from all of the lower 48 states.
The agency will initiate a status review of the bear in the NCDE and GYE and decide on a 12-month finding. If the finding results in proposing to delist either of the populations, USFWS will consider that in the context of recovery for the rest of the population.
If delisting the two populations is warranted, then removing ESA protections would be initiated through a separate rule-making process, with public notice and comment.
“The Service appreciates the states’ historical commitments and partnerships to recover bears, particularly through conflict prevention efforts that have been effective in reducing human-caused mortality,” USFWS said in a statement.
“However, the impact of recently enacted state laws and regulations affecting these two grizzly bear populations is of concern and needs to be evaluated.”
The public may submit relevant information to assist in the status review, and USFWS stressed the use of scientific and commercial data. To submit information, search for docket ID FWS-R6-ES-2022-0150 at regulations.gov. The 90-day finding and petition review forms associated with USFWS’ announcement can also be viewed at regulations.gov by searching for the aforementioned docket ID.
Reactions
The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) applauded the measure. “Grizzly bears in the GYE are fully recovered and their management should be entrusted to the state,” said Raylee Honeycutt, MSGA executive vice president, in a statement.
“We believe there is significant data to confirm the same in the NCDE. The Endangered Species Act is clearly designed to put an endangered species on the list, set a recovery population goal, and then delist. The states have met all of those factors, and this should be seen as a success story.”
Conservation groups opposed the USFWS’ announcement.
“It’s disheartening that the federal government may strip protections from these treasured animals to appease trophy hunters and the livestock industry,” said Andrea Zaccardi, legal director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s carnivore conservation program. “After approving the all-out slaughter of wolves, Montana officials have proven they can’t be trusted to make science-based wildlife decisions. Our nation’s beloved grizzlies deserve better.”
Western Watersheds Project (WWP) concurred, with Erik Molvar, WWP executive director, saying, “These grizzly populations are still genetically isolated from each other and some half-baked plan to ship Northern Continental Divide grizzlies to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem does not overcome the distinct lack of state support for a sustainably connected grizzly bear population.” — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
