The Biden administration has released a final environmental impact statement (EIS) outlining plans to reintroduce grizzly bears into the North Cascade Ecosystem (NCE) in Washington.
The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) said the plan’s purpose is to restore biodiversity, promote ecological resilience and provide benefits for current and future generations. By reintroducing grizzly bears, the plan aims to enhance their long-term survival in the NCE, contributing to their overall recovery and eventual removal from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
Following the grizzly bear’s listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1975, USFWS established six recovery zones for the bears. Grizzly bears currently occupy four of these recovery zones, and the last time they were seen in the NCE was in 1996.
The agencies said the final EIS does not signify the selection of a specific course of action. Instead, it evaluates the consequences of the three alternatives presented.
The three alternatives are a no action alternative, restoration with existing ESA protections, and the preferred alternative of restoration with an ESA 10(j) experimental population.
Both action alternatives propose restoring a population of 200 grizzly bears to the NCE by capturing individuals from healthy populations and relocating them. While both alternatives share the goal of releasing three to seven bears annually for five to 10 years, they differ in management strategies.
The projected timeline aims to establish a population of 25 bears initially, with additional releases planned to reach 36 bears in the primary phase.
According to the EIS, achieving a population of 200 bears within 60 to 100 years does not constitute recovery under the ESA, but it contributes to the broader recovery of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states.
A 30-day waiting period began once the EIS was issued on March 21. Following the waiting period, a record of decision could be signed allowing the selected alternative to be implemented afterward.
Reactions
The Friends of the North Cascades Grizzly Bear, a coalition of conservation groups and local Tribes, applauded the agencies for actively restoring grizzly bears to the North Cascades. They emphasized the ecological role of the species and expressed excitement for their imminent return to an area the groups say their absence has persisted for too long.
“After years of advocacy, the Upper Skagit Tribe looks forward to the day the great bear returns to the rugged North Cascades, which our people previously shared with grizzlies for thousands of years,” said Scott Schuyler, the Tribe’s policy representative, in a statement.
Opponents expressed disappointment, stating the reintroduction of bears would impact local communities and ranchers.
“Time and again, our communities have spoken to express staunch opposition to the introduction of these apex predators, which would be detrimental to our families, wildlife, and livestock alike,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. “I’m beyond disappointed that the Biden administration is ignoring our concerns by moving forward with the introduction while putting on the façade of seeking more public input after their decision has clearly been made.”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) condemned the plan, stating the 10(j) status is the administration’s effort to appease the state and that the groups remain vigilant about protecting ranchers and rural families in Washington.
“Dropping new apex predators into rural Americans’ backyards is not something that the federal government should undertake without consensus,” said Sigrid Johannes, director of PLC and NCBA Government Affairs, in a statement. “State and local stakeholders have made their serious concerns about this proposal known for years now, and plowing forward to the detriment of local farmers and ranchers would be unwise for both conservation of the species and health of the rural economy.”
Neil Kayser, a fifth-generation rancher in Washington, told Fox News that the reintroduction would threaten his livestock and the families in the area. Kayser said that while the bears might restore biodiversity, they will predate on livestock and pets when food is unavailable and threaten hikers. Kayser felt the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife should manage the bears.
“Nobody asked to house these bears in Portland or Seattle,” Kayser said. “They’re putting them out on our landscape that we try to make a living on to provide food and fiber and energy for the American consumer.” — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
