Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-AL) introduced the Science-Based Grizzly Bear Management Act, a bill that would delist the grizzly bear from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) and return management of the fully-recovered species to the states. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte recently petitioned to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the grizzly bears in the NCDE, and Rep. Rosendale’s legislation would support this effort.
 
“The science shows the grizzly bear is fully recovered, and a delisting is well past due,” said Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04). “For too long, the grizzly bear has been used as a political pawn by radical environmental groups cherry-picking data to fit a narrative, and we have seen the impacts of this in rural communities throughout the West – particularly in Montana. I am proud to join Rep. Rosendale in introducing this legislation, which celebrates the success of local conservation and species recovery efforts, and I am encouraged by Montana’s strong leadership – including that of Governor Gianforte – to ensure the best available science is used to manage grizzly bear populations.”
 
“The science does not support keeping the grizzly bear listed under the Endangered Species Act. But unfortunately, as a result of serial litigation at the behest of radical environmentalists, the species continues to be listed as threatened today,” said Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-AL). “This puts the lives of Montanans and the livelihoods of Montana ranchers in jeopardy. It’s high time we follow the science and pass my bill to delist the grizzly bear populations in the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems, and return management back to the states.”
 
“Allowing the grizzly bear to remain on the federal endangered species list is a tone-deaf move that ignores the science as well as the voices of those in Montana and Wyoming. Earlier this year, the Fish and Wildlife Service admitted that both of these populations are recovered. The time for change is now, which is why I am proud to join my colleague Mr. Rosendale in introducing this legislation, which will turn over management to the states who are ready and able. I encourage my colleagues on the committee to support this bill and move it quickly through committee,” said Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
 
“The grizzly bear has recovered in the NCDE and GYE, and we should celebrate this conservation success story. It's time for the federal government to return management of the grizzly bear in these ecosystems to the states, and Rep. Rosendale's legislation will do just that,” said Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. “The State of Montana and our impacted communities are prepared to manage the recovered grizzly."