The preferred approach includes the following: 



> Bears that kill people will be removed from the population. 



> Bears displaying unacceptable aggression, or that are considered to be a threat to 

 human safety, will be removed from the population as quickly as possible. 



> The major emphasis of the program will be on educating people about safety 

 measures and preventing conflicts with people. An early warning system will be 

 developed for use in years when natural foods may be limited and when the potential 

 for conflicts are higher than normal. 



> Information on safety in bear country will be provided in all big game hunting 

 regulations. 



> FWP will seek statewide expansion and enforcement of food storage ordinances. 



> FWP will work with county governments to require bear-proof garbage containers for 

 homeowners in bear country. 



Habitat/Habitat Monitoring/Management of Human Use of Bear Habitat 



This FEIS recommends coordinated monitoring of major grizzly bear food sources and 

 consulting with land management agencies on issues related to grizzly bear habitat 

 protection, disturbance, and mitigation. The preferred approach to this issue includes: 



> FWP will continue to cooperate in a coordinated effort to collect and analyze habitat 

 data. 



> FWP will work with land management agencies to monitor habitat changes in a 

 manner consistent with its overall approaches for all other managed species. 



> FWP will continue to use statewide habitat programs to conserve key wildlife habitats 

 in southwestern Montana. 



> FWP will identify and monitor whitebark pine, moth aggregation sites if identified, 

 and other key foods such as ungulate population levels. 



> FWP will recommend that land-management agencies manage for an open-road 

 density of one mile or less per square mile of habitat consistent with FWP's statewide 

 Elk Management Plan guidelines. 



> FWP will support keeping existing inventoried roadless areas in a roadless state and 

 work with local groups and land managers to identify areas where roads could be 

 reclaimed. 



> FWP will work with the Department of Transportation to address wildlife crossing 

 needs on their projects. 



> FWP will monitor coal bed methane activities, and other oil and gas projects, and 

 address grizzly bear needs in these permitting processes. 



> FWP will work with local groups to identify and promote habitat characteristics that 

 benefit bears such as maintaining core areas or working with county planners in 

 important habitat areas. 



An alternative considered was to expand the current higher level of habitat restrictions 

 and programs in place in the PCA to bear-occupied areas outside the PCA. It is FWP's 

 judgment that this approach would not generate social acceptance for the bear and its 



