Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks seeks approval from the Fish and Wildlife Commission to proceed with a rule making process addressing state management of grizzlies.
The request is based on the consideration of Senate Bill 295, which would clarify how management will move forward as grizzly bears are delisted from the Endangered Species Act. The bill engages human safety, livestock conflict and the genetic exchange between recovery areas. SB295 also requires adoption of administrative rules prior to delisting.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has identified six grizzly recovery areas with two being in whole or in part in Montana, the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Both locations have surpassed recovery goals and now pend delisting FWS.
The public may comment until Thursday, May 11 on the FWP request to begin the rule making process. Comment may be made on the FWP website fwp dot mt dot com. If the commission moves forward, FWP will develop draft rules and engage in public review.
