WASHINGTON - U.S Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher released the following statements regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) grizzly bear announcement. 

“Grizzly bears are overrunning communities in Idaho, and USFWS’s announcement is yet another example that the Biden administration doesn’t care,” said Risch. “Several populations have met recovery targets, but the federal government has repeatedly moved the goalposts. It is beyond time to give management of grizzly bears back to the states and return to common sense.”

“The grizzly bear’s current Endangered Species Act (ESA) status disregards the successful recovery of the species within its historic range and overlooks scientifically supported, common-sense management practices,” said Crapo.“This announcement unfairly dismisses the significant achievements of local conservation efforts and undermines public confidence in the ESA. This decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is unacceptable and reflects poor, eleventh-hour verdicts by the Biden Administration.”

“States—not the federal government—are best positioned to manage grizzly bear populations in a way that protects and meets community needs,” said Fulcher. “This current administration has made it a bad habit of attempting to usurp states’ locally-devised solutions. I stand alongside my colleagues in opposing this announcement and ensuring continued efforts to give this responsibility back to Idaho." 

The Fish and Wildlife Service today denied petitions from Wyoming and Montana to delist grizzly bear populations within their states. The Idaho delegation and state officials have repeatedly advocated for the removal of grizzly bears’ ESA status and to advance locally developed solutions that protect Idaho communities.

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