associated with tourism, recreation, and potential harvest from the presence of grizzlies. While FWP is 

 fully aware that there are also costs and potential risks associated with the presence of such a species, this 

 plan should allow FWP to manage these in a way that meets the needs of the public. In light of this, the 

 State of Montana has adopted the following policy for this species. 



Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission Policy 



The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission (MFWPC) is the policy making arm of Montana's fish, 

 wildlife, and parks programs. Section 87-1-301(1), Montana Codes Annotated (MCA) requires the 

 Commission to "set policies for the protection, preservation, and propagation of the wildlife, fish, game, 

 furbearers, waterfowl, non-game species, and endangered species of the state for the fulfillment of all 

 other responsibilities of FWP as provided by law." 



The legislature has given specific policy direction to the Commission on the issue of grizzly bears. 

 Section 87-5-301, MCA, states "It is hereby declared the policy of the State of Montana to protect, 

 conserve, and manage grizzly bears as a rare species of Montana wildlife." Section 87-5-302 describes the 

 FWP Commission's power regarding grizzly bears. 



In addition, within this legal framework, the MFWPC developed a grizzly bear poliq' in Section 12.9.103, 

 ARM (Appendix A). This policy addresses the need to protect grizzly bear habitat, the need to pursue 

 grizzly bear research, the role of regulated hunting in grizzly bear management, depredations and the 

 appropriate FWP response to depredations, and requires compliance with federal regulations relating to 

 grizzlv bears. It is within this framework, and that described by the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 

 Sec. 1531, et seq.), that specific FWP goals for the grizzly bear were developed. Because of high mortality 

 rates resulting from sudden closure of open dumps in Yellowstone National Park, concern over the status 

 of the grizzly population in the Greater Yellowstone Area rapidly increased during the late 1960s and 

 early 1970s. This population, along with other grizzly populations in the lower 48 states, was listed as 

 threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. As a result of this listing, many management 

 changes were made to benefit grizzlies. A recovery plan was prepared and approved in 1982 and revised 

 in 1993. This has set the stage for a possible delisting of the species in the Yellowstone area and a return 

 of this species to state management, which is predicated on a state management plan. It is our hope that 

 the success of these programs will result in recovered bear populations across western Montana as well. 



