Montana Residents Weigh in on Grizzly Management

Montana officials are seeking comments about a management plan and environmental impact statement concerning grizzly bear management, hunting and conservation.

Montana Residents Weigh in on Grizzly Management

Montana has petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. Photo: iStockphoto.com/skibreck

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a draft plan and environmental impact statement to guide the long-term management and conservation of grizzly bears in the state. 

“For decades, FWP staff have worked with federal, tribal and local partners, along with communities and landowners, to recover and then manage grizzly bear populations across much of Montana,” FWP Director Hank Worsech said in a press release. “This plan will put that experience into action and provide a framework for comprehensive management of grizzly bears in the state and ensure the populations remain sustainable and healthy into the future.” 

The plan was formed by existing bear plans and conservation strategies for parts of the state, the federal recovery plan, and the work of the Grizzly Bear Advisory Council, appointed under the previous administration in 2019. 

The new plan would replace two existing plans — those for western Montana and for southwest Montana — with one statewide plan. With that plan, FWP would commit to maintaining the long-term viability of grizzly bears while prioritizing human safety. 

Montana has petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. It also supports Wyoming’s petition to delist grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, where the bears have surpassed recovery goals. Other recovery areas in Montana include the Cabinet-Yaak and Bitterroot ecosystems. 

“Although grizzly bears are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act, having a plan like this in place will lay out Montana’s vision and general framework for management of grizzly bears, whether or not they are listed,” Worsech said. 

The draft plan will guide management statewide, with particular focus on areas with documented grizzly bear presence and expected expansion zones. The draft plan addresses how bears will be managed outside of federal recovery zones, including connectivity areas between the zones. The EIS addresses potential environmental impacts of implementing the plan. 

The draft plan and EIS will be open for public comment until February 5. 

To review the plan and comment, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/grizzly-bear-management-plan

To comment by mail, send to Wildlife Division, Grizzly Bear Plan and EIS, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620. Comments can also be emailed to  fwpwld@mt.gov

Once the comment period is concluded, FWP staff will review the comments and adjust the plan and EIS as necessary. Then, Worsech will issue a record of decision, in accordance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act. The department will then present the plan to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for its review and potential endorsement.



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