Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis and her colleagues have voiced strong opposition to the Biden administration’s decision to maintain protections for the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act. This move comes despite petitions from Wyoming and Montana seeking to manage the species at a state level.
“The science is clear that the Greater Yellowstone grizzly bear has been recovered for more than 20 years,” stated Lummis. She criticized the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision as “an abuse of the Endangered Species Act” and accused Washington bureaucrats of prioritizing politics over facts. According to Lummis, Wyoming is prepared to manage the grizzly bear population independently.
Senator Barrasso echoed these sentiments, asserting that “the science is clear: the grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are thriving and do not need protection under the Endangered Species Act.” He emphasized Wyoming’s effective management practices, advocating for state control over federal oversight.
Montana Senator Daines expressed frustration with what he perceives as shifting recovery targets, which he believes harm both bears and local communities. “This is a shameful partisan play, and I’ll be pushing back every step of the way,” Daines remarked.
Additionally, Sheehy from Montana argued it was time to delist grizzly bears, criticizing the Biden Administration for disregarding scientific evidence and local needs. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with future administrations on this issue.
