Big Sky Times

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed a new law supporting a change in the regulation of grizzly bears in the region, a move his office called a significant step towards balancing conservation efforts and safeguarding human interests in the region.

“After decades of work, the grizzly bear has more than recovered in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE), which represents a conservation success,” Gianforte said in a news release on July 20. “As part of that conservation success, the federal government accepted our petition for consideration earlier this year to delist the grizzly in the NCDE, an important step toward delisting.”

Senate Bill 295 grants the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks the authority to adopt new rules prior to the delisting of grizzly bears from the Endangered Species list, which would transfer management of the bears from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The move would also empower livestock owners to take necessary actions against grizzly bears that pose a threat to their livestock, the release stated. The Fish & Wildlife Service announced in February that it had accepted Montana’s petition to delist the grizzly bear in the NCDE.

During a ceremonial signing of the bill, Gianforte expressed his pride in the successful conservation efforts that led to the grizzly bear population's recovery in the NCDE. 

"The state is well-prepared to manage this iconic American species," he said.

The state's journey towards delisting began in December 2021, when the state issued the petition for the federal agency to grant full management authority over the native bears.

Upon delisting, Montana will take the lead in preserving this species while also ensuring the safety of its residents, livestock, and visitors. Sen. Butch Gillespie emphasized the need to manage the growing grizzly. 

"As the grizzly population grows, we need to manage it, but we also need to protect ourselves, our livestock, and our kids – as well as those that come in just to recreate," Gillespie said in the release.