Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced on December 7 that it was seeking comments on a draft plan and environmental impact statement to guide long term management of grizzly bears in the state. The plan is informed by previous versions of the state’s management plans as well as information from the Grizzly Bear Advisory Council, but combines management action across the state rather than two regional plans as in the previous version.

“For decades, FWP staff have worked with federal, tribal, and local partners, along with communities and landowners, to recover and then manage grizzly bear populations across much of Montana,” said FWP Director Hank Worsech. “This plan will put that experience into action and provide a framework for comprehensive management of grizzly bears in the state and ensure the populations remain sustainable and healthy into the future.”

Although grizzly bears are still listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, Montana has petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and supports Wyoming’s petition to delist grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, where they have surpassed recovery goals. Other recovery areas in Montana include the Cabinet-Yaak and Bitterroot ecosystems.

The draft plan and EIS is available for review and comment and will be open for public comment until Jan. 5. To comment by mail, send to Wildlife Division, Grizzly Bear Plan and EIS, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620. Comments can also be emailed to fwpwld@mt.gov.