In final days of Biden administration, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service denies grizzly bear petition
Governor Greg Gianforte and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) today condemned President Joe Biden and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for rejecting petitions to delist the grizzly bear in the president’s final days in office after sitting on them for years.
“Joe Biden has embraced a scorched earth strategy on his way out the door,” Gov. Gianforte said. “He’s issued special favors to his son, banned offshore drilling, and released terrorists from Guantanamo Bay. Joe Biden continues to show contempt for the law and the American people. The full recovery of the grizzly bear across the Rocky Mountain region should be acknowledged and celebrated – period. It’s time for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to catch up with the science, follow the law, and return management of grizzlies to the states, where it belongs. We look forward to working with the incoming Trump administration to explore a new path forward.”
Gov. Gianforte speaking about grizzly management at the state capitol
“For more than 50 years, ag producers and livestock users have been committed to the delisting of the grizzly bear,” FWP Director Christy Clark said. “I thank them for the efforts. FWP will remain diligent in the continued recovery of the species to ensure the future viability of grizzlies in Montana. It’s beyond time for the federal government to recognize the science and follow the law. FWP and our partners have proven we are ready to manage this species at a state level. We will be exploring all our options to move forward.”
In December 2021, Gov. Gianforte petitioned the federal government to delist the grizzly bear in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE). In February 2023, the FWS accepted the state of Montana’s petition to delist grizzly bears in the NCDE in northwest Montana.
In August 2024, the states of Montana and Wyoming participated in successfully translocating two grizzly bears from the NCDE in Montana to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in Wyoming.
