The proposed rule concerning the delisting of grizzly bears comments are due May 16, 2025

Submit comments and find more information here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-R6-ES-2024-0186-0001

Suggested talking points

• I support the decision to keep grizzly bears listed as ‘threatened’ in the Northern Rockies and Washington, and I support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ rejection of delisting petitions submitted by Montana and Wyoming.
• A grizzly bear hunting season should not be allowed under any circumstances.
• I appreciate the proposed rule’s focus on connectivity outside of recovery zones and the emphasis on natural connectivity between populations for long-term recovery.
• The Distinct Population Segment boundaries should be greatly expanded to include grizzly bear historical range. One of the goals of the Endangered Species Act is to return species to their historical range. Grizzly bears must remain protected everywhere in that historical range in the lower 48.
• Now is NOT the time to loosen existing protections — the proposed 4(d) rule must be dropped, and coexistence emphasized instead. Even with our current protections, 2024 saw a record number of human-caused grizzly bear deaths.
• The final rule should not give any trappers a ‘pass’ for capturing grizzly bears.
• Grizzly bears are slow to reproduce and face stressors from changing food sources, climate change, interactions with humans, and poaching. They warrant continued protections under the Endangered Species Act.
• The proposed rule must take into consideration the current and future threats of recreation, climate change, changing food sources, habitat fragmentation, human access, and road building.