impacts to the human environment that are identifiable. The analysis of those impacts is based primarily 

 on projections of how future activities and areas would change because of the proposed actions. Such 

 projections are however inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. 



Under this program, grizzly bear numbers within western Montana are likely to increase over time and it 

 is probable that such increases would result in expanded occupation and use of habitats within and 

 outside the recovery zones. While the significance of impacts resulting from bear expansion beyond the 

 recovery zones would be reduced through mitigation (see Strategies to minimize human-grizzly conflict, 

 page 32), increased human-caused mortality and human-bear conflicts are possible (see Conflict 

 Management, page 30). Furthermore, the human population in the 17-county analysis area is predicted to 

 expand during the timeframe of this plan (see Size and Human Population, page 11). Increasing rural 

 settlement and subdivisions on private lands could impact the bear's use of habitat and movement 

 between habitats. Bear habituation to humans could become more prevalent, increasing risks to both the 

 bear and public safety. 



Implementing habitat measures and preventative management programs will likely benefit other species 

 of wildlife in Montana, especially black bears. Black bear issues parallel those surrounding grizzlies, and 

 the programs recommended in this plan should assist FWP in multi-species management. Habitats that 

 are managed in a way that affords opportunities for occupancy and expansion of the grizzly bear 

 population may benefit other species by providing suitable habitat. For example, areas where road 

 accesses are adequately managed benefit species such as elk. Although grizzly bears are omnivores, and 

 predation of ungulates, such as elk, deer and moose, does occur, the overall impact of an expanded 

 grizzly bear population on other populations of wildlife is, however, expected to be minimal. As a result, 

 it should not be necessary to adjust hunting seasons to compensate for grizzly bear predation on other 

 wildlife. 



While adverse impacts to other wildlife species as a result of this program should be minimal, there is the 

 potential that population levels of black bears could decline due to increased competition for resources as 

 grizzly bears expand into currently unoccupied habitats. Based on the current status of black bears in, 

 and adjacent to, areas currently occupied by grizzlies in Montana, impacts are not anticipated to be 

 significant. 



Many factors influence and affect the local social and economic environment. Regardless of this plan, 

 recreational use is likely to increase over the next decade due to human population growth in many 

 western counties and an increase in people seeking outdoor recreational opportunities (see Recreational 

 Opportunities, page 15). Users would be affected to varying degrees by the perceived level of grizzly 

 bear use, grizzly bear-human conflicts, and information and education about recreating in bear country. 

 People uncomfortable recreating in bear occupied areas may shift their use patterns to include areas 

 likely to be unoccupied by bears and/or utilize areas such as developed campsites and heavily utilized 

 day use trails in bear county. For many people, however, recreating in grizzly bear habitat is an 

 attraction. Tourists from surrounding states as well as nationwide may be drawn to western Montana. 

 As a consequence, grizzly bear-human conflicts and human-caused mortalities have the potential to 

 increase with increased contact between bears and humans. 



An expanding bear population could result in increased economic benefits to western Montana. Many 

 people travel to or relocate to Montana because of the states diverse and abundant wildlife resources. 

 Furthermore, the value of many properties in Montana is enhanced by the presence of wildlife and the 

 opportunities for associated recreation and potential harvests. 



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