Gianforte Secures Grizzly Bear Management Improvements From Trump Administration

Press Release

Following up on their public meeting in Choteau, Montana in October 2019, David Bernhardt, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, today informed Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) of efforts the Trump administration will undertake to improve management of Montana's grizzly bear population.

In his letter, Bernhardt reflected on the public meeting Gianforte arranged with ranchers and members of the community in Choteau.

"During this meeting I heard about bears breaking into grain silos, denning in crops, and passing through school grounds. The people I met were unsettled by these interactions and felt their concerns were not being heard by the Department of the Interior and the State of Montana," Secretary Bernhardt wrote.

Conceding the challenge in addressing problems bears in the existing administrative structure, Secretary Bernhardt wrote, "This [administrative] complexity has led to risk-averse and delayed actions when human-bear conflicts arise. Flawed decision-making processes have resulted in growing discontent among the people that live with these bears."

Bernhardt detailed the department's plans to Gianforte. The Department of the Interior will
provide USDA Wildlife Services with funding to hire additional bear conflict specialists in Montana,
empower U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to address problems bears in Montana,
update grizzly bear hazing guidelines, and remind the state that federal funding is available for predator control actions.

Bernhardt credited Gianforte for the department's actions to improve management of grizzly bears in Montana.

"I would like to thank you again for your inviting me to Choteau last fall -- I would not have taken these actions without hearing from your constituents," Bernhardt wrote.

Gianforte welcomed the Bernhardt's announcement, saying, "I appreciate Secretary Bernhardt coming to Choteau and listening to folks who too often encounter grizzly bears. It's time for more effective management of problem bears, and I'm glad the Trump administration is putting more tools in our toolbox."

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