The public comment period for a new rule for the management of grizzly bears by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks begins on Friday, August 24.
The rule pledges FWP will be at least 90 percent sure the grizzly population in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem stays at or above 800 bears if federal wildlife managers remove Endangered Species Act protections for them, as is expected later this year. FWP says this amounts to maintaining a population of about 1,000 animals. The comment period ends October 26.
Public meetings are listed below:
Sept. 18 – Great Falls, Great Falls College-MSU, 2100 16th Avenue S., 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 – Conrad, High School, 308 S. Illinois St., 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 – Missoula, Holiday Inn Downtown, 600 S. Pattee St., 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 – Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College, Arts and Technology Building, 777 Grandview Drive, 6:30 p.m.)
Comments can also be submitted by mail, to Grizzly Bear ARM, Wildlife Division, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana, 59620-0701, or by e-mail to FWPGRIZZLYBEARARM@mt.gov.