Interior kills grizzly reintroduction plan for North Cascades

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has terminated plans to reintroduce grizzly bears into the North Cascades Ecosystem of northern Washington, one of six areas designated for recovery of the threatened species. “The Trump Administration is committed to being a good neighbor, and the people who live and work in north central Washington have made their voices clear that they do not want grizzly bears reintroduced into the North Cascades,” Bernhardt said in a statement released on Tuesday. “Grizzly bears are not in danger of extinction, and Interior will continue to build on its conservation successes managing healthy grizzly bear populations across their existing range.” Bernhardt made the announcement during a meeting in Omak, Washington, on Tuesday. He credited Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, with leading the objections to grizzly reintroduction. “This announcement is welcomed by my constituents in Central Washington who have consistently shared my same concerns about introducing an apex predator into the North Cascades," Newhouse said in the same press release.“Homeowners, farmers, ranchers, and small business owners in our rural communities were loud and clear: We do not want grizzly bears in North Central Washington.”...MORE