More than two dozen environmental organizations have sent a letter to Hank Worsech, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP), asking for an extension on the comment period on the Statewide Grizzly Bear Management Plan.
The groups are asking for at least an additional 30 days, or until Feb. 5, 2023, to review the documents—which total 468 pages and include the draft plan and environmental impact statement—and submit comments. The letter also mentions the comment period is during the holiday season, so most people are busy with other plans, and many MTFWP personnel are unavailable for technical support.
“Releasing the draft management plan for a 30-day comment period over the holidays is a strategic move to minimize public involvement,” said Jocelyn Leroux, Washington and Montana director with Western Watersheds Project. “This is unacceptable considering the implications of this document detailing long-term grizzly bear management in the state. An extension of the comment period is essential.”
According to MTFWP, the new draft plan will combine the plans for the western and southwest portions of the state, plans governing the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide ecosystems and federal recovery plans. The agency noted the current plans are becoming outdated and don’t include management guidance for bears as they continue to expand into other parts of the state.
In 2018 and 2019, MTFWP began the discussion process on whether the current grizzly plan was sufficient, and in late 2019, the agency worked with then-Gov. Steve Bullock (D) to appoint an 18-member Grizzly Bear Advisory Committee. The committee presented its recommendations in 2020. After the committee released its report, MTFWP biologist Rich Harris presented the draft plan, based on consultations with the committee and others, to meet the objectives identified when the process began in 2018.
“Four of the six grizzly bear recovery areas designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are wholly or partially in Montana, therefore it is critical that the state gets it right in this management plan,” said Bonnie Rice, wildlife program manager for the Sierra Club. “In order to do that, Montana needs to carefully consider public input and give people the opportunity to craft meaningful comments. A 30-day comment period on a grizzly bear plan of such significance, spanning the holiday season, clearly does not honor the spirit of giving people a chance to weigh in on a subject they care about deeply.”
To view the draft plan and environmental impact statement or to comment, visit fwp.mt.gov. — Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
