in this document will minimize those impacts through prevention, where possible, and 

 adequate management if conflicts occur. Implementing the road density standards as 

 recommended is already occurring for elk management and is allowing for some 

 expansion in the bear population. Future adjustments may be necessary. However, many 

 of these issues are currently being addressed to meet other resource needs (erosion 

 control, water quality, etc.), and those changes are not related to bear concerns. 



Irreversible/Irretrievable Resource Commitment 



The programs recommended in this document should not result in any irreversible/ 

 irretrievable commitment of resources with few exceptions. If expansion of bears proves 

 untenable in some areas, FWP has demonstrated the ability to remove bears. Likewise, 

 habitat programs, access management, and so on can all be reversed or revised if needed. 

 The level of recommended mortality will not result in any irreversible commitment of the 

 grizzly bear resource and should allow it to flourish. Because these levels of removal can 

 be regulated or eliminated on an annual basis, or even short time basis (should data 

 indicate that to be prudent), the management program poses no threat to the species, and 

 should benefit it. 



Conversely, because the grizzly bear and other Montana wildlife serve as a major 

 component of our quality of life in Montana and this is attracting new residents and an 

 expanding human population, the state is seeing some irretrievable commitment of 

 resources. Subdivisions, energy development, and other "land development" programs 

 are slowly but steadily altering grizzly habitat. While Montana officials can moderate 

 this loss to a degree by allowing the bear population to expand into currently unoccupied 

 habitats and by managing occupied habitats to meet their needs, we as a people will 

 ultimately have to forego some things to allow grizzlies to survive at viable levels. These 

 issues will be decided by the citizens of Montana and the nation through the appropriate 

 political and social processes. 



Finally, grizzly bears are large and potentially dangerous animals. By their presence, 

 they pose some risk to the human inhabitants of the state and to visitors. Current 

 information shows that this risk is very real, but at a surprisingly low level. When one 

 considers all of the people and activities that currently occur in grizzly habitat, and how 

 few injuries or deaths happen, it demonstrates this low level of risk. In addition, the 

 programs outlined in this plan should allow for management and further minimization of 

 the risks of living with grizzlies. 



No environment is totally risk fi-ee for people. Through education, understanding, and 

 science-based wildlife management, we the people of Montana and this nation can 

 minimize the risks of injury and/or death from grizzlies. 



Summary of Public Comments 



The Grizzly Bear Management Plan for Southwestern Montana Draft Programmatic 

 Environmental Impact Statement was released for public comment on April 5, 2002. 



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