States will have increased flexibility to balance conservation efforts and safety concerns for farmers and residents.
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) proposed a revised policy regarding grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal would increase flexibility for management practices in areas where the bears have reached, and often exceeded, federal recovery benchmarks. The proposal will also help local wildlife managers address public safety concerns, as the increase in the bear population has caused problems for farmers, ranchers, and residents.
“The science is more than clear: grizzly bears have recovered and far exceeded every federal recovery benchmark,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who was joined by the governors of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, as well as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Brian Nesvik for the announcement. “Interior is returning conservation leadership to the Western states instead of Washington bureaucrats.“
Grizzly bears have been listed as a threatened species since 1975. The proposal would not change their listing status, nor affect any existing experimental population designations.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Burgum and Director Nesvik as they continue support conservation efforts in the U.S.
- For the governors and state officials in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho as they work to balance conservation and safety.
Sources: Department of the Interior
