significantly conflicts with the FWP objective of building public support necessary for expansion and 

 long-term survival of bear populations. 



3. FWP should develop a livestock operator coiiipensatioii program aimed at proindin^ monetary payment to ojfset 

 or replace the economic loss for a death or injiin/ to livestock due to bear activity. 



While FWP encourages private groups to continue compensation programs, the department is 

 currently moving away from such programs. An exception to this relates to wolf management where 

 a citizens committee recommended some form of compensation for livestock losses. As outlined 

 previously, we believe that if Montana can implement a grizzly bear program when the grizzly bear 

 is recovered that provides landowners management flexibility within reason and with some 

 constraints (i.e. some provision for removing depredaHng bears) it will build broader public support. 



4. Bear habitats should not overlap with human residential areas and/or other areas frequented by people. 



While FWP will address the problem of bears in residential areas with the programs outlined, to try 

 and separate people and bears across western Montana would fail because bear distribution and 

 densities would have to be so low that it would preclude the objective of maintaining a healthy bear 

 population. In FWPs judgment, providing ways to accommodate both bears and people will 

 ultimately be more successful. 



5. Provide unfettered flexibility to livestock operators and property oivners to deal with conflict situations. 



This is illegal under current listed status. Furthermore, in FWPs judgment, this approach will fail to 

 provide the necessary assurances for long-term conserx'ation. No other FWP programs for a 

 managed species allows for flexibility without constraints. 



B. HABITAT MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT 



Providing for continued expansion of the grizzly bear population into areas that are biologically suitable 

 and socially acceptable requires regional specific information on grizzly bear habitat requirements and 

 use, current habitat conditions, and factors affecting habitat suitability such as human activity. 

 Consequently, this management plan recommends coordinated consulting with land management 

 agencies on issues related to grizzly bear habitat protection, disturbance, and mitigation as well as 

 monitoring of major grizzly bear food sources. It is important to note that these efforts benefit many 

 species in addition to bears. Preferred approaches include; 



> FWP will work with other agencies to develop and implement a conservation strategy 

 summarizing long-term commitments for grizzly bears in each recovery zone and other areas 

 currently or likely to become occupied. 



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

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



> FWP will continue to cooperate with other members of the IGBC and the various managers 

 subcommittees or similar group in a coordinated effort to collect and analyze habitat data. 



> FWP, in coordination with other agencies, will monitor oil, gas, timber, mining and subdivision 

 projects, and address grizzly bear needs in commenting on permitting processes. 



> FWP will work with local groups to identify and promote habitat conservation that benefit bears 

 such as maintaining core areas, security, or working with county planners in important habitat 

 areas. 



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