Citizen input sought for grizzly plan

The Grizzly Plan is a joint resolution put forth in the 63rd legislature of the state of Wyoming 2016 budget session that is taking steps to remove the grizzly bear and the gray wolf from the endangered species list in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is accepting public comments on the plan until April 14.

Senator John Barrasso said it is just as important for the citizens of Wyoming to give their input regarding the plan as it is to delist these species to help the state.

"The grizzly bear needs to come off of the endangered species list," Barrasso said. "The way that the federal government comes out with its rules has a direct impact on that. We need to delist the grizzly bear, period. We need to delist the gray wolf as well. Both have been devastating to wildlife and livestock and the endangered species act is being abused."

The endangered species act needs to be revised through Congress, Barrasso said.

"We need to revise the endangered species act so that if a species gets on the list, it truly is endangered," he said. "When it goes on the list, we need to know when the species will hit its non-endangered number. Whenever we hit that number, whether it's grizzly bears or wolves, we need to be able to take them off that list without having to go through all of this government mumbo jumbo to delist them."

The joint resolution is requesting Congress to seek removal of the grizzly bear and gray wolf populations from being listed under the endangered species act and to assist in funding programs and services for gray wolf and grizzly bear management. There have been numerous economic losses in the state because of the grizzly bear and gray wolf predation on livestock. The cost to manage both the gray wolf and the grizzly bear and to compensate entities and individuals for damage caused by these species is significantly greater than can be sustained through existing budgets of the responsible state and federal agencies.

Barrasso believes the control of these species should be under the direct control of the state of Wyoming.

"Grizzly bears and gray wolves ought to be under the control of Wyoming, not Washington," he said. "People on the ground here know what to do, Washington does not. We're just hoping the government regulators actually listen."

The grizzly bear was first listed as threatened in 1975 when biologists estimated only 136 bears in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Currently, there are estimated to be more than 700.

FWS is accepting public comment on the proposed rule and an accompanying conservation strategy and has committed to complete delisting by the end of the summer. Comments can be made online, at public meetings around the state or by mail. To comment or to see a schedule of meetings, visit http://wgfd.wyo.gov/News/Wyoming-seeks-public-input-on-post-delisting-grizz.