One June 4, seven environmental groups announced that they are filing a lawsuit in Idaho federal district court challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) decision to remove grizzly bears from the Endangered Species Act (ESA), reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

In its April decision, the Service declared that the grizzly population in and around Yellowstone National Park had recovered sufficiently to be removed from the "threatened" status the bears had been under since 1975.

The environmental groups, including Earthjustice, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, seek to have the decision reversed, claiming that the 500 to 600 Yellowstone bears in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana remain imperiled and in need of federal protection. They maintain that significant threats still exist, not least of which are changes in the bears' food supply due to global warming, habitat encroachment by residential and oil and gas developments, and a gene pool too small to assure the viability of the species. The groups further contend that the Yellowstone population needs to be linked to at least some of the four other smaller, grizzly bear populations in the Northern Rockies (which remain officially threatened) to prevent future declines. They also expressed concern that the delisting decision would transfer management and authority of the bears to state wildlife agencies in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, which could eventually authorize public hunting of grizzlies.

Conversely, federal and state wildlife agencies promise close monitoring of the Yellowstone grizzlies, to ensure the population does not decline. They argue that, since about 80 percent of the 9 million acres occupied by bears is protected, a decline in the existing grizzly population is unlikely.

Federal officials and some conservation groups also say a victory for the plaintiffs would hinder the endangered species program and expend resources needed on other threatened or endangered species. The lawsuit is considered by many to be a test case on the effectiveness of the ESA. It is probable that a decision on this issue will be later, rather than sooner.

To read the complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief filed in federal district court, go to Earth Justice.