Northwest Lawmakers Look To Move Grizzly Bears From ESL

On Thursday, Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, joined Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis to introduce the Grizzly Bear State Management Act. This bill would remove grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from the endangered species list and shift management to the states.

“Grizzly bears met their recovery goals in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem more than a decade ago thanks to the hard work of states like Idaho. Yet instead of being appropriately delisted, the species has been subject to circular legal battles at the whim of activist judges that accomplish nothing and waste taxpayers’ money,” Risch said. “This legislation recognizes it’s time to follow the science and common sense and delist the grizzly bear.”

“Idaho’s local wildlife managers have a history of successful species management practices based on sound science and collaborative efforts among federal, state, and tribal entities. One such success is evidenced by the significant increase of the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – more than five times its population since the initial listing under the Endangered Species Act,” Crapo added. “The Grizzly Bear State Management Act will restore Idaho’s ability to responsibly manage grizzly bears for recovery while simultaneously addressing the needs of the landscape and local communities in the region.”

Additional cosponsors of the bill include Wyoming Senator John Barrasso as well as Montana's Steve Daines.

You can find the bill text Here.

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