Recovery Plan. The Backcountry Zone roughly approximates Situation 1. Glacier's Backcountry and 

 Wilderness Management Plan (2004) defines the backcountry camping permit system, layout of 

 designated backcountry campgrounds, trail brushing standards, bear information sign standards and 

 other pertinent management actions that benefit bear conservation 



Specific reference to bear habitat within GNP is also dealt with in the GNP Bear Management Plan (2004) 

 which states that "the staff of Glacier National Park is responsible for protecting and perpetuating the 

 naturally functioning ecosystems in the Park, including bears and their habitat". Outlined goals include 

 providing for the long term survivability of the grizzly bear in GNP and the NCDE and fulfilling the 

 mandate of Congress, as expressed in the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916, by striving to 

 protect and maintain the natural habitat and status of the bears, while maximizing the security and safety 

 of the Park visitor. Direction provides for educating back country users and temporary closure of 

 backcountry areas with consistent bear presence. Furthermore, the Park recognizes the importance of 

 collaborating with other agencies, Indian tribes and private individuals and organizations in the NCDE to 

 enhance the regional survivability of the grizzly bear. The GNP Bear Management Guidelines (2004) are 

 intended to be used as a field guide for meeting the objectives of the Bear Management Plan. 



5.2 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) 



The NWR System encompasses national wildlife refuges, wetlands and other special management areas 

 and resource management falls under the direction of USFWS. It's mission is "to administer a national 

 network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the 

 fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and 

 hiture generations" (National Wildlife Refuge System Admiyiistration Act of 1997). 



Within the area covered by this report, two refuges under various land ownership patterns exist. The 

 National Bison Range Complex encompasses Lost Trail NWR, Ninepipe NWR, Pablo NWR, Northwest 

 Montana WMD, the Swan River NWR plus 18 waterfowl production areas. Lee Metcalf NWR is located 

 to the south. The USFWS currently has three management programs for the protection of resources 

 under the National Wildlife Refuge System; a Waterfowl Production Area, a Wildlife Management Area 

 or a Refuge Unit. 



hi August 2005, the USFWS approved the establishment of the Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area 

 along the eastern edge of the Continental Divide in northwestern Montana. The Conservation Area will 

 be monitored as part of the Refuge System in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System 

 Administration Act of 1966 and other relevant legislation, executive orders, regulations, and policies, 

 including the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993). Using funds from the Land and Water 

 Conservation Fund, the USFWS plans to purchase perpetual conservation easements from willing sellers 

 on 170,000 acres of private land to conserve wildlife habitat. The easements will help maintain a 

 relatively large, unfragmented block of habitat between existing protected areas including state wildlife 

 management areas. The Nature Conservancy's Pine Butte Swamp Preserve, and Boone and Crockett 

 Club's Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch. According to the Environmental Assessment and Land 

 Protection Plan for the Rockij Mountain Front Conservation Area (2005) grazing will not be restricted on the 

 land, however, subdivision and development for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes will be 

 prohibited. Altering the natural topography, converting native grassland to cropland, wetland drainage 

 or establishing game farms would also be prohibited. 



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