NE Wyoming News

Representatives Harriet Hageman, Russ Fulcher, Ryan Zinke, and Troy Downing have urged President Trump and Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to reverse a policy proposal from the Biden Administration. The proposal involves reclassifying grizzly bear populations into a single Distinct Population Segment (DPS) and denying petitions from Wyoming and Montana to delist grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE). The lawmakers argue that creating a single DPS across six recovery areas in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming undermines conservation efforts and poses risks to communities affected by growing grizzly populations.

Rep. Hageman stated: “Instead of celebrating one of the greatest conservation success stories in American history, states were punished for doing their job too well.” She criticized the previous administration's reasoning against delisting grizzlies as "absurd" because they have expanded beyond designated zones. She expressed optimism that President Trump's administration would restore sensibility by returning management to state control.

Rep. Zinke added: “The grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Area have fully recovered, just ask the wildlife experts and locals who see it firsthand every day.” He emphasized that ESA protection is now more about government control than conservation. According to him, if management were based on science rather than a "radical green agenda," delisting would have occurred decades ago.

Rep. Downing expressed disappointment with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed rule revising the Endangered Species Act listing for grizzly bears. He noted that Montanans are aware of the harm posed by grizzlies to local communities. He joined efforts urging President Trump and Secretary Burgum to reject the proposal while commending Rep. Hageman for her leadership.