FWP commission passes resolution on status review of grizzly bears

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission approved a resolution Thursday to require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service complete an analysis and status review for grizzly bears in the lower 48 states by the end of 2008.

Commission members didn’t comment on the resolution adopted unanimously Thursday.

But the intent of the resolution, according to Ron Aasheim, FWP community education coordinator, is to try to prompt the federal government to finish its study of grizzly populations outside of the greater Yellowstone area, and to continue federal funding of Montana’s oversight of the bears.

“That study has implications to the people of Montana,” Aasheim said, adding that the commission made a conscious decision not to comment in its resolution as to whether or not the grizzly bear should be taken off the list of animals protected by the Endangered Species Act.

However, at the Dec. 20, 2007, meeting where the resolution was discussed, Chris Smith, FWP chief of staff, did note that the department supports delisting and wants the USFWS to complete that process in a timely manner.

The resolution states that the people of Montana have supported recovery of the grizzly bear since it was listed as a threatened species in 1975. In March 2007, the Yellowstone population of grizzly bears was lifted from the list, but four other grizzly populations in the lower 48 states remain under federal protection.

FWP has adopted management plans and conservation strategies for grizzly bears in Montana, and it is the lead agency responsible for day-to-day oversight, the resolution states. But the state agency also contends that in view of the national interest in the species, it is important to maintain federal funding to support state management.

Reporter Eve Byron: 447-4076 or eve.byron@helenair.com