population will continue to expand under existing programs. Failure to modify the program 

 would result in unnecessary conflicts and elevated risks to grizzly bears and to the people of 

 Montana and its visitors, and would reduce the opportunity for future bear population increases. 



While FWP recognizes that this approach deviates from formats used in many environmental 

 impact statements, it is the wildlife agency's belief that the chosen format makes the document 

 more useful to the public and those interested in grizzly bear conservation. 



Before discussing the different issues and alternatives this plan addresses, it is important to keep 

 the following overall perspectives in mind. 



• Public support and tolerance for grizzlies is the key to their long-term recovery and re- 

 occupancy of suitable habitats, and this support is contingent on local involvement and active 

 local participation in plan development and implementation. 



• All of the biological and social issues are interrelated, and no one part of the plan can 

 function effectively without the others. For example, people intentionally feeding bears 

 create enforcement problems, unnecessary bear mortalities, risk to human safety, property 

 damage, and more. 



• This plan does not presuppose habitat problems exist with bear reoccupancy, but instead 

 approaches the issues with the perspective of making sure local people are involved and 

 given sufficient tools to respond to management changes as need arises. 



• The key to a broader recovery lies in bears utilizing lands that are not managed solely for 

 them but in which their needs are adequately considered along with other uses. The plan also 

 recognizes the pivotal role private-landowner support will play in a broader recovery. 



• Preventative measures are much better than simply responding to problems; however, a great 

 deal is unknown about how bears will utilize some of the available habitats. 



• The plan must respond as changes occur and be open to public scrutiny and input. 



Human Safety 



> Bears that kill people will be removed from the population. 



> Bears displaying unacceptable aggression, or that are considered to be a threat to human 

 safety, will be removed from the population as quickly as possible. 



> The major emphasis of the program will be on educating people about safety measures and 

 preventing conflicts with people. An early warning system will be developed for use in years 

 when natural foods may be limited and when the potential for conflicts are higher than 

 normal. 



> Information on safety in bear country will be provided in all big game hunting regulations. 



> FWP will seek statewide expansion and enforcement of food-storage ordinances. 



> FWP will work with county governments to require bear-proof garbage containers for 

 homeowners in bear country. 



Grizzly bears are large, powerful animals and, on rare occasions, can threaten human safety and 

 life. To be successful in grizzly bear management, threats to human safety must be minimized to 

 the extent possible. Threats to human safety, however, cannot be eliminated totally. 

 Unfortunately, people make mistakes, which in turn can lead to conflicts with bears and increase 

 risks to human safety. For example, by one individual failing to secure human foods from bears, 



21 



