6 minute read
Ready to consider, two words
Montana – the two states included in a tri-state Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Wyoming which recognized the bear’s population and growth beyond suitable range – and affirms the GYE grizzly bear population has been fully recovered since 2003.
Tri-state agreement
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On Nov. 30, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved the tristate MOA to address the court’s concerns regarding delisting the bears.
According to a Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) news release, “The revised MOA recognizes the expanding number of grizzly bears which have grown beyond the edges of the bear’s biological and socially suitable range. With refined population estimates, data shows the population numbers more than 1,000 bears, far beyond all scientific requirements for a recovered, viable population.”
The revisions made to the MOA include the states’ commitments to the long-term genetic health of grizzly bears, which also provides for the translocation of bears into the GYE grizzly bear population to maintain genetic diversity.
The MOA required approval from both Idaho and Montana’s respective wildlife division commissions and directors before Wyoming could file the delisting petition to FWS. In his Jan. 11 announcement of the petition, Gordon shared his appreciation for the efforts and cooperation of Montana and Idaho.
MSLF comments on petition
Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF), which has for years been involved in litigation related to federally protected grizzly bears, welcomed news that Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has formally petitioned the federal government to remove the animal from the list of threatened species, with the support of Montana and Idaho, two other grizzly-impacted states.
MSLF Senior Attorney Joseph Bingham said removal from the list was necessary in order to give impacted states a stronger hand in managing the apex predator, and to allow residents of these states to protect themselves and others, as well as their livestock and other property, when dangerous bruin-human encounters occur.
“People have the right to defend their families and their animals against grizzly bear attacks,” said Bingham. “Returning management of the grizzly population to the states – the communities directly affected by grizzlies’ presence – is an important step toward appropriately balancing the competing interests at stake.”
FWS photo
Petition factors
Wyoming’s petition to delist the GYE grizzly bear populations found the bear is neither an “endangered species” or a “threatened” species as determined by five factors.
The first factor is consideration of habitat and range of the bear. Findings by the state note, “Ninetyeight percent of the recovery zone is federally managed land, including all of Yellowstone National Park, as well as portions of the Grand Teton National Park, the Shoshone, BeaverheadDeerlodge, Bridger-Teton, Caribou-Targhee and Custer Gallatin National Forests.”
Specifically, these areas – as well as a large proportion of suitable habitat outside of the recovery zone – are considered secure suitable habitat, which provides for and allows protections against human activities inside the recovery zone.
The second factor analyzed the overuse of the species for commercial, recreation or education purposes, in accordance with FWS’ 2017 delisting rule. Based on analysis by both the state and FWS, no grizzly bears have been legally removed from the GYE in over 40 years for these purposes. In addition, the state’s outreach and education program has continued to develop to reduce conflict potential and decrease bear mortality.
Third, the state considered the current status of disease or predation, finding no issues related to disease or natural predation have been detected.
Fourth, the 2017 FWS delisting rule concluded, “based on the best available information and on continuation of current regulatory commitment, we do not consider inadequate regulatory mechanisms to constitute a threat to the GYE grizzly bear now or in the foreseeable future.” The petition mentioned, since the 2017 delisting rule was adopted, Wyoming has considered and adopted further regulatory framework to ensure the future management of the bears.
The final factor took into consideration other natural or man-made factors which might affect the continued existence of the bear’s populations.
“Since the 2017 delisting rule was adopted, no additional science or new information would nullify the FWS’s original findings with respect to genetic concerns; invasive species, disease and other impacts to food supply; or human attitudes toward grizzly bear recovery,” the petition stated.
State efforts
“Grizzly bears in the GYE are fully recovered and their management is now best entrusted to the experienced and capable institutions of the states,” Gordon said. “After all, Wyoming has invested more than $52 million and dedicated countless hours of WGFD expertise to reach this point.”
Following the submission of the petition, the FWS has 90 days to review the petition. During this time, the petition can be denied or approved for additional review. Further review will provide FWS up to 12 months to analyze the state’s request and make a final decision.
“We’re optimistic FWS will review the petition favorably, and we look forward to working with them on delisting,” Gordon concluded.
Averi Hales is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Cheyenne – Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow is resigning from her elected position to serve education as the superintendent of public instruction for the state of Virginia. Kari Eakins, the department’s chief policy officer, will serve as interim superintendent.
“I am honored and deeply humbled to announce Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin has asked me to serve as Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction,” Balow said. With a focused drive to lead on the front lines of educational transformation in this country, I have accepted. Serving as state superintendent for the last seven years has been the greatest honor and challenge of my life.”
Youngkin has placed education at the center of his gubernatorial campaign, and Balow said Virginia was on the “cutting edge” of the battle of the future of K-12 public schools.
She said, “The work we will do to restore parents’ voices in education, push for innovation and student success, enhance school choice and to eliminate political ideology from the classroom will set a new tone in Virginia and the nation. We have made great progress on these very items during my tenure in Wyoming.”
Gov. Gordon has issued the following statement thanking Superintendent Balow for her service to the state.
“I have enjoyed working alongside Superintendent Balow for the past seven years in my roles as treasurer and governor, making her the secondlongest currently serving statewide elected officer,” he said. “We will miss her experience and expertise. She has worked to improve our state’s education system, and I thank her for her efforts. Her service to the state has been exemplary, and I wish her well in her new role.”
The superintendent’s resignation is effective January 16. Gordon has informed the Republican Party Central Committee, which will have 15 days to submit three candidates to the governor for consideration. Gordon will then have five days to appoint a new superintendent from the names submitted. The individual selected will serve for the remainder of Balow’s term.
Horseshoe Valley Chariot Races
January 29 & 30, 2022
Happy Hour & Calcutta Friday night for Saturday races @ Angler’s Bar @ 6:00 PM
Races Start - Saturday, January 29 @ 12:00 PM and Sunday, January 30 @ 11:00 AM Races will be held north of Glendo, WY On HWY 319 At The Airport
Gate Entry - $5 for ages 12 and over Saturday Night Dinner & Calcutta
for Sunday races is at 6:00 PM at Micke's Restaurant. Tickets for dinner are $10 for adults, $5 for 12 years and younger, under 3 free. Additional Calcutta auctions will be going on during the races. For more information call: Gene Daly - 307-331-1049
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