STATUS : AWAITING READING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR – ANTICIPATED 2/24.
This Joint Memorial, brought forward by the Idaho House of Representative and Senate of the State of Idaho, calls on the Trump administration to achieve the ESA’s stated purpose and delist the grizzly bear to full management of the species by the states. You can read full bill text HERE.
Background: Grizzly bears were first listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1975. They have been removed and reinstated in various years, the most recent reinstatement being 2018. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service Grizzly Bear Recovery Program, there are at least 1,923 grizzly bears across the lower 48 with most found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) & Pacific Northwestern states. Recovery efforts have been successful and because of this, it is time for all parties to acknowledge that this species should be removed from the Endangered Species Act listing. The population of bears is healthy, and the bear should be removed from ESA listing at this time so that conservation and management efforts can continue at the state and local level.
Why is this important to cattle producers in Idaho?
Does ICA support this proposed bill?
Yes – ICA has member directed policy that supports de-listing as long as the state management plan:
- Doesn’t allow for de facto expansion of Yellowstone National Park;
- Allows for federal funding of all grizzly bear management costs including depredation;
- Provides for representation of affected interests (especially beef producers) on the Delisting Advisory Team (or eventual oversight entity);
- Allows individuals to use lethal methods on problem bears in order to protect themselves and their property (including livestock) and;
- Does not give any new or additional powers to Fish & Game especially as it applies to private and/or federal lands.
How do I take action?
We encourage comment by those interested members & supporters! ICA will submit comments on behalf of our membership association, but you can utilize the following verbiage in crafting your commentary as well.
If choosing to send comments individually, the recommendation would be to submit to your respective legislators, as well as members of the House Resources & Conservation Committee.
Sample verbiage:
I support HJM 004 and the delisting of grizzly bears as a recovered species in the lower 48. As the population of this once endangered species has more than recovered, human and livestock conflicts in the areas where grizzlies are primarily found have seen a dramatic increase. Under framework intended to preserve and restart this species, impacts to other wildlife, cattle producers and recreators by this apex predator have become more obvious – it is time to follow through with the delisting. States surrounding the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem should not ‘bear’ the burden of a perpetual bureaucracy pitfall, please SUPPORT House Joint Memorial 004.
