NE Wyoming News

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has requested an extension for the decision to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) Grizzly Bear from the endangered species list. This declaration has sparked frustration among some lawmakers.

Representative Hageman commented, “Today’s declaration on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly Bear is yet another frustrating moment in the fight to return management of the species to the state. Earlier this month, during a Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing, I had the opportunity to question Deputy Director Stephen Guertin of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Endangered Species Act. During that questioning he admitted that the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly has far exceeded recovery goals – and at the current number of bears, the Grizzly would never have been listed. He also informed our subcommittee that a delisting decision would be forthcoming. With this knowledge, what possible reason does the agency have to stall? We know it sure isn’t based on facts. Politicizing the Endangered Species Act and pandering to far-left radicals does not serve the GYE grizzly bear or Wyomingites well. This delay for a decision that is already 1.5 years past the original deadline underscores the need for Congressional action to force a return to sound policy.”

Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the GYE grizzly bear has been listed as threatened since 1975 with an original recovery goal of 500 bears. The current population stands at nearly 1,100 bears.

Representative Hageman has sponsored legislation known as the Grizzly Bear State Management Act aimed at ensuring delisting occurs. Her bill has passed out of the Natural Resources Committee and awaits consideration by the full House. Additionally, language supporting delisting was included in the Interior Appropriations Act recently passed by the House of Representatives.