Griz delisting discussion continues

By all measurements, the Yellowstone grizzly bear has recovered as an endangered species and a state Game and Fish proposed plan to manage the animal if it is delisted from the Endangered Species Act will be ready to be put in place by the end of 2016. “I am reasonably confident we are going to see a delisting rule (this year),” said Brian Nesvik, Wyoming’s chief warden and wildlife division head. Nesvik spoke in Cody on Monday night at an informational hearing reviewing the state’s draft proposal for a time when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acts to delist the grizzly. However, it was also revealed at the Holiday Inn session the plan agreed to by Wyoming, Montana and Idaho authorities does not match the USFWS plan. The federal Service has a scheduled hearing on its own delisting proposal in Cody, also at the Holiday Inn, next Monday. An informational session will run 2-4 p.m., followed by public comment 5-8 p.m. Nesvik said Game and Fish will likely testify, seeking to smooth over the discrepancies. While many in the crowd of 60-plus listeners were interested in whether grizzly hunting will be authorized under state management, this was only generally addressed. Nesvik said such thinking is premature, though hunting can be a management tool applied if bears roam outside the core Yellowstone area, which they have done with increasing frequency...more