NE Wyoming News

Congresswoman Harriet Hageman has sent a letter to Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), expressing frustration over the recent decision to delay the finalization of the 12-month finding for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) grizzly bears. The letter was cosigned by Representatives Fulcher (ID-01), Rosendale (MT-02), Stauber (MN-08), and Zinke (MT-01).

Representative Hageman stated, “The science that the GYE population is fully recovered is clear and, according to the most recent Grizzly Bear Management Report, all recovery criteria for the GYE population have been and are currently being met. This is why the state of Wyoming submitted a petition to delist the GYE population on January 21, 2022, more than two and half years ago."

Hageman further noted her interaction with Deputy Director of Fish & Wildlife Steve Guertin during a subcommittee hearing. She said his responses indicated that a decision by USFW would be made by the end of July 2024. "Mr. Guertin also stated, in response to a hypothetical scenario of a listing petition being filed for the GYE today, that such petition would probably be rejected based on the listing factors set forward in the Endangered Species Act," she added.

Hageman emphasized her belief that political considerations influenced the postponement decision: "It is obvious to us that a political decision – rather than science – was interjected into the process in the two weeks between this hearing and the announcement to postpone."

She concluded by highlighting potential risks: “Stonewalling on this delisting is causing grave danger to people and livestock in Wyoming. The USFW needs to act now.”

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Contact: Chris Berardi, Sr. Advisor/Communications Director