area. It is anticipated that the programs outlined in this plan would apply should grizzlies 

 extend their distribution beyond these counties sooner than anticipated. In addition, the 

 success of our program rests on coordinating and cooperating with the surrounding states 

 and federal agencies. We will continue to work with them so that the needs of the bear 

 population as a whole are met. 



ISSUES OF CONCERN ADDRESSED IN THE EIS AND SUMMARY OF THE 

 PREFERRED APPROACHES AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED 



The following section presents the issues identified from the scoping process, and follow- 

 up meetings, described earlier. 



FWP considered a "No Action" alternative beyond continuing existing programs and 

 approaches to grizzly bear management, but a No Action alternative was rejected because 

 the bear population will continue to expand under existing programs. Failure to modify 

 the program would result in unnecessary conflicts and elevated risks to grizzly bears and 

 to the people of Montana and its visitors, and would reduce the opportunity for future 

 bear population increases. 



Before discussing the different issues and alternatives this plan addresses, it is important 

 to keep the following overall perspectives in mind. 



• Public support and tolerance for grizzlies is the key to their long-term recovery and 

 re-occupancy of suitable habitats, and this support is contingent on local involvement 

 and active local participation in plan development and implementation. 



• All of the biological and social issues are interrelated, and no one part of the plan can 

 ftinction effectively without the others. For example, people intentionally feeding 

 bears create enforcement problems, unnecessary bear mortalities, risk to human 

 safety, property damage, and more. 



• This plan does not presuppose habitat problems exist with bear reoccupancy, but 

 instead approaches the issues with the perspective of making sure local people are 

 involved and given sufficient tools to respond to management changes as need arises. 



• The key to a broader recovery lies in bears utilizing lands that are not managed solely 

 for them but in which their needs are adequately considered along with other uses. 

 The plan also recognizes the pivotal role private- landowner support will play in a 

 broader recovery. 



• Preventative measures are much better than simply responding to problems; however, 

 a great deal is unknown about how bears will utilize some of the available habitats. 



• The plan must respond as changes occur and be open to public scrutiny and input. 



Human Safety 



Grizzly bears are large, powerfiil animals and, on rare occasions, can threaten human 

 safety and life. To be successfiil in grizzly bear management, threats to human safety 

 must be minimized to the extent possible. Threats to human safety, however, cannot be 

 eliminated totally. 



