6. Roads that are not compatible with area management objectives, and are no longer needed 

 for the purpose for which they were built, will be closed and reclaimed. Native plant species 

 will be used whenever possible to provide proper watershed protection on disturbed areas. 

 Wildlife forage and/or cover species will be used in rehabilitation projects where appropriate. 



7. Impose seasonal closures and/or vehicle restrictions based on wildlife, or other resource 

 needs, on roads that remain open and enforce and prosecute illegal use by off-road vehicles if 

 given authority. FWP will actively work to secure authority through the appropriate process 

 and identify funding to support enforcement efforts. 



8. FWP supports the U.S. Forest Service and BLM restrictions banning all motorized off- 

 road/trail use. 



9. Efforts will be directed towards improving the quality of habitat in site specific areas of 

 habitually high human-caused bear mortality. Increased sanitation measures, seasonal road 

 closures, etc., could be applied. 



One alternative suggested was to expand the current higher level of habitat restrictions and 

 programs in place in the PCA to bear-occupied areas outside the PCA. It is FWP's judgment that 

 this approach would not generate social acceptance for the bear and its further recovery. 

 Incorporating the grizzly as another component of FWP's ongoing programs for all wildlife is a 

 more productive approach. In addition, the approach outlined in this plan does allow FWP to 

 modify the program, if necessary, and adapt the program in the future as more is learned. 



FWP recognizes that habitat changes in the PCA (loss of whitebark pine, etc.) could result in 

 increased importance of habitats outside and will respond to those changes if they occur. 



Population Monitoring 



> For grizzly bears, like most species, density (number/unit area) is a key population 

 parameter, and FWP will estimate densities using the best available data from research, 

 distribution changes, DNA samples, and more. 



> FWP will monitor unduplicated females with cubs in the PCA and outside. 



> FWP will monitor mortality including timing and causes and gather survivorship data in 

 cooperation with the IGBST. 



> FWP will use verified sightings to document changes in bear distribution. They would 

 include DNA samples, photographs, sightings by reliable observers, tracks, and more. 



> FWP will conduct research in cooperation with other entities to obtain more detailed 

 population information where needed. 



> Monitoring will be coordinated with other states and information collected within the PCA 

 by the IGBST as part of a cooperative effort and presented in annual reports. 



> This effort will be conducted by, and coordinated between, FWP's wildlife biologists and 

 bear management specialist, with assistance from IGBST. 



> Population trend, in combination with habitat conditions, demographics, human/bear 

 conflicts, social tolerance, and research findings, will be FWP's guide to decisions regarding 

 population management. 



The bear management units (BMU's) established for the PCA are used for more intensive 

 management of those areas. Analysis units will be established outside the PCA. These units will 

 be used to collect and analyze demographic and occupancy data on grizzly bears by geographic 



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