Feds Deny State Petitions to Remove Grizzly Bears from Endangered Species List, Propose New Management Plan

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has reaffirmed the grizzly bear’s protected status under the Endangered Species Act, rejecting petitions from officials in Montana and Wyoming who sought to delist the species in specific recovery zones.

On January 8, the FWS published a 171-page document outlining its decision, which includes a proposal to manage grizzly bears as a single population across the states of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington, while also revising protective regulations for the species.

Martha Williams, director of the FWS, explained that this reclassification would enhance grizzly bear recovery efforts and provide a stronger foundation for eventual delisting.

“The proposed changes to our rules will provide management agencies and landowners with more tools and flexibility to deal with human-bear conflicts, an essential part of grizzly bear recovery,” Williams said in a statement.

However, the decision has been met with immediate backlash from state officials in Montana and Idaho. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte criticized the Biden administration’s stance, calling it a “scorched earth strategy” and insisting that grizzly bears had already recovered in the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. Governor Gianforte expressed his intent to continue advocating for state management of the species.

Idaho Governor Brad Little also voiced his opposition, arguing that the FWS’s decision disregarded the successful recovery of grizzly populations and the efforts of local conservation stakeholders. Idaho’s congressional delegation, including Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, joined the opposition, asserting that local management would better address grizzly-related conflicts in their state.

In contrast, conservation groups have praised the FWS’s decision, stressing that federal protection is critical for maintaining the species’ long-term recovery. Groups such as the Endangered Species Coalition and WildEarth Guardians have expressed concern over state-level management, fearing that it could reverse progress made in grizzly conservation.

The FWS’s proposed management plan suggests reducing endangered species protections to a smaller, distinct population segment that includes parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington. This new framework would encompass areas where grizzly bears currently reside and are expected to inhabit in the future. The population in this area is estimated at 2,314 bears, and the FWS believes managing the species across this unified region will increase the likelihood of successful recovery.

In addition to the population management changes, the FWS has proposed revisions to the “4(d)” rule, which would grant more flexibility in addressing human-bear conflicts. This rule would allow management agencies and landowners to take action, including relocating or removing bears, in certain situations, such as protecting livestock or preventing imminent threats to human safety.

The FWS’s announcement is a part of its ongoing efforts to evaluate grizzly bear management in the lower 48 states. The agency has committed to publishing a proposed rule in the coming days, followed by a 60-day public comment period. Public hearings will also be held in various locations, including Missoula, Montana, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to gather input on the proposed changes.

Wyo File and Idaho Capital Sun contributed to this report.