Summary: The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has submitted comments supporting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed ESA 4(d) rule to expand state and tribal grizzly bear management and advance population recovery toward delisting.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (SAF) recently submitted comments in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) proposed rule to revise the protective regulations for the grizzly bear in the lower-48 states under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed 4(d) rule places state and tribal agencies in a place to take on greater grizzly bear management responsibilities, encourages cooperation and flexibility, and will place grizzly bears on solid footing for continued population increases, expanded ranges, and, ultimately, delisting from the ESA.
Expert Perspective on Management
“Grizzly bears throughout the West are doing remarkably well, and that’s a testament to strong management at all levels of government,” said Torin Miller, Associate Litigation Counsel at SAF. “We’re pleased to see the service recognizing the strong management capabilities of state and tribal wildlife agencies in this rule, and we’re hopeful that the final rule poises those agencies to take on full grizzly bear management responsibilities when grizzly bears are delisted in what we hope is the near future.”
Empowering State and Tribal Partners
The proposed rule reflects the value state partners bring to the table, and the proposed protections and exceptions empower states to partner with FWS in a more meaningful way – a way that allows states to guide management activities of grizzly bears both now and post-delisting. The proposal leans on existing expertise of FWS partners while simultaneously preparing and educating partners for more partner-led management in the future, including full state-led management after grizzly bears are delisted.
Grizzly Bear Population Recovery Success
Upon being listed as threatened under the ESA in 1975, between 700-800 grizzlies remained in the Lower 48. Now, over 2,000 grizzly bears occupy four primary ecosystems in the lower-48 states. The tremendous success in conserving and recovering grizzly bears is a direct result of sound management by the FWS and federal, state, and tribal partners. Specifically, management utilizing all tools available under the ESA, in ways that encourage cooperation and flexibility, has placed the grizzly bear on solid footing for continued population increases, expanded ranges, and, ultimately, delisting from the ESA. These tools include the use of section 4(d) rules, and the currently proposed 4(d) rule, with the incorporation of suggestions offered by SAF, will only advance the grizzly’s success story.
Let’s Preserve and Protect Our Outdoor Legacy Together
There has never been a more crucial time in sportsmen’s history than now to be involved and engaged in protecting our way of life. The legacy of hunting, fishing, and trapping depends on our actions today. Urge your family and friends to join you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance in the fight to protect our outdoor heritage from efforts to restrict these traditions.
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