Interior Secretary Doug Burgum joined Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Idaho Gov. Brad Little in Big Sky on Tuesday to announce a proposed federal rule that would give Western states significantly more flexibility to manage grizzly bears — the first major management reform since the species was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act more than 50 years ago.
The proposed revision to the Endangered Species Act’s 4(d) rule would not change the grizzly bear’s threatened listing status, but would create a tiered framework allowing state and tribal wildlife agencies designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — including Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks — to take a larger role in managing grizzly populations in areas where recovery goals have been met or exceeded. Gianforte confirmed the rule would not permit a hunting season in Montana.
“Thanks to the work of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and many Montanans over decades, the grizzly bear recovery story is one of America’s great conservation successes,” Gianforte said. “With this success has come a challenge — bears have expanded into new areas and conflicts have increased with farmers, ranchers, recreationists, and residents. Returning management to the states is a welcome change and Montana is ready to lead to balance conservation and the safety of our communities.”
When grizzlies were listed in 1975, only a few hundred remained in the Lower 48 states. Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports more than 2,000. In Montana, recovery goals for the species have been met or exceeded in both the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
“The science is more than clear: grizzly bears have recovered and far exceeded every federal recovery benchmark,” Burgum said. “Today, Interior is returning conservation leadership to the Western states instead of Washington bureaucrats.”
FWP Director Christy Clark said the agency is ready to take over management of grizzly bears, citing decades of on-the-ground experience and an existing statewide management plan.
Congressman Ryan Zinke, who as Interior secretary under President Trump’s first term began the process of returning grizzly management to states, also praised the announcement, calling the grizzly recovery one of America’s great conservation success stories alongside the bald eagle.
Critics, including Earthjustice, warned the rule change could increase grizzly mortality and put the recovered population at greater risk. The proposal has been challenged in court twice before when previous administrations attempted to delist the bears entirely.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening a 30-day public comment period on the revised rule, which updates a January 2025 proposal. Public comments will be accepted through August 17, 2026.
By: DNU News wire