Hageman Statement on Yet Another Delayed Decision on Delisting the GYE Grizzly Bear

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service filed a declaration requesting an extension to the timeline on the decision to delist of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) Grizzly Bear from the endangered species list.

Representative Hageman stated, “Today’s declaration on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly Bear is yet another frustrating moment in the fight to return management of the species to the state. Earlier this month, during a Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing, I had the opportunity to question Deputy Director Stephen Guertin of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Endangered Species Act. During that questioning he admitted that the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly has far exceeded recovery goals – and at the current number of bears the Grizzly would never have been listed. He also informed our subcommittee that a delisting decision would be forthcoming. With this knowledge, what possible reason does the agency have to stall? We know it sure isn’t based on facts. Politicizing the Endangered Species Act and pandering to far-left radicals does not serve the GYE grizzly bear or Wyomingites well. This delay for a decision that is already 1.5 years past the original deadline, underscores the need for Congressional action to force a return to sound policy.”

Background:

Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the GYE grizzly bear has been listed as threatened - but not endangered - since 1975, and its original recovery goal was 500 bears. Today, we have nearly 1,100 bears in this ecosystem. The goal of the ESA for the Greater Yellowstone Grizzly has clearly been met and we should rightly return species management back to the State of Wyoming.

Representative Hageman has also sponsored the Grizzly Bear State Management Act to ensure that delisting happens. Her bill to delist the GYE grizzly has been passed out of the Natural Resources Committee and awaits passage by the full House. In addition, due to Rep. Hageman’s efforts, language to delist the GYE Grizzly was also included in the Interior Appropriations Act passed by the House of Representatives last week.

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Contact: Chris Berardi, Sr. Advisor/Communications Director