APPENDIX A 

 GRIZZLY BEAR POLICY MCA 12.9.103 



MCA 12.9.103 GRIZZLY BEAR POLICY (1) Whereas, the Montana Fish and Game 

 Commission has management authority for the grizzly bear, a resident wildlife species, 

 and is dedicated to the preservation of grizzly bear populations within the state of 

 Montana; and 



Whereas the secure habitat for the grizzly has been greatly reduced as a result of 

 the human development and population growth from 1850 through 1950 in the bear's 

 traditional range in all western states; and 



Whereas, a significant portion of the remaining grizzly bear habitat and population 

 is located in Montana and these Montana populations occur in wildlands such as 

 wilderness, primitive areas, de facto wilderness areas, national forests, national parks, 

 Indian reservations, and seasonally, on adjacent private lands. 



Now, therefore, in order to promote the preservation of the grizzly bear in its 

 native habitat, the commission establishes the following policy guidelines for the Montana 

 Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks action when dealing with grizzly bear. 



(a) Habitat. The department shall work to perpetuate and manage grizzly bear 

 in suitable habitats of this state for the welfare of the bear and the enjoyment of 

 the people of Montana and the nation. In performing this work the department 

 should consider the following: 



(i) the commission has the responsibility for the welfare of the grizzly 

 and advocates the protection of the bear's habitat; 



(ii) management of Montana's wildlands, including the grizzly bear 

 habitat, is predominately, but not exclusively, a responsibility of various 

 federal agencies and private landowners; 



(iii) land use decisions made by these agencies and individuals affect 

 grizzly bear habitat, thus cooperative programs with these agencies and 

 individuals are essential to the management of this species; 



(iv) preservation of wildlands is critical to the protection of this species 

 and the commission advocates wildland preservation in occupied grizzly 

 bear habitat; and 



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