Wildlife agencies plan to restore grizzlies in Washington

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service and Washington state agencies are planning to restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades. The Everett Daily Herald reports the agencies plan to hold public meetings next month in six cities. The input will help the agencies decide how to bring back the endangered species. An impact statement on the recovery plan would address public safety, livestock predation and the possible effects on business and recreation. Most grizzly bears in the state were killed by settlers. It’s estimated there may be fewer than 20 of the big bears living in the North Cascades south of the Canadian border. Meetings are scheduled from March 3 to March 11 in Winthrop, Okanogan, Wenatchee, Cle Elum, Seattle and Bellingham. AP