Mitigation 



An adaptive management approach affords FWP the opportunity to manage the population of grizzly 

 bears in western Montana with a fair degree of flexibility to meet different needs and expectations. Many 

 of the management tools outlined throughout this plan are designed to mitigate the potential for negative 

 impacts of an expanding bear population while maximizing the benefits to the degree possible in a 

 complex biological, social and economic environment. 



While there are many benefits to expanded grizzly bear populations, there is no denying that there will 

 be impacts to livestock producers and property owners due to conflicts with grizzly bears as the 

 population expands. Implementing the programs recommended in this document will minimize those 

 impacts through prevention, where possible, and adequate management if conflicts occur. Moreover, as 

 the cause, severity, and appropriate response to human-bear conflicts often varies considerably from one 

 incident to another, FWP has developed programs that utilize a broad range of management applications 

 to mitigate adverse impacts. 



Information and education remains a critical component under any alternative to minimize grizzly bear- 

 human conflicts. Programs have been developed that emphasize providing people with the information 

 they need to reduce the potential for human-grizzly conflicts that could lead to injury or loss of human 

 life, or human-caused grizzly mortality while maintaining traditional residential, recreational and 

 commercial uses of the areas into which the grizzly is or may be expanding. Coordinated management of 

 nuisance bears, food storage orders, and information and education efforts would minimize conflicts and 

 grizzly bear mortalities under all alternatives. 



Mitigating bear losses due to hunting activity through education programs is another key component and 

 FWP will continue efforts aimed at evaluating hunter education programs such as its bear identification 

 requirements. Strengthening the program through adjustments such as implementing mandatory annual 

 training courses for black bear hunters statewide, or for specific hunting districts, would reduce losses. 



Implementing the road density standards as recommended is already occurring for other management 

 purposes (erosion control, water quality, etc.) and is allowing for some expansion in the bear population. 

 Future adjustments may be necessary. 



In summary, as required in Section 12.2.431. of the Administrative Rules of Montana, throughout the 

 process of developing this DPEIS, FWP evaluated the significance of impacts resulting from the proposed 

 implementation of this grizzly bear program for western Montana. The Department has determined that 

 although impacts could occur, our commitment to mitigation should reduce their significance. As a 

 result, FWP does not anticipate any significant impacts that cannot be addressed through mitigation. 



Irreversible and Irretrievable Resource Commitment 



This section describes irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources associated with 

 implementation of the proposed grizzly bear management program outlined in this DPEIS. A resource 

 commitment is considered irreversible when impacts from its use limit future use options. Irreversible 

 commitment applies primarily to nonrenewable resources, such as fossil fuels or minerals, and to those 

 resources that are renewable only over long time spans, such as soil productivity. A resource 

 commitment is considered irretrievable when the use or consumption of the resource is neither renewable 

 nor recoverable for use by future generations. In essence, irretrievable resource commitments involve the 



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