The people of Montana's early concern is evidenced in the fact that the state contains all or 

 portions of four of the six areas in the lower 48 states identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service's plan for grizzly recovery. This concern continues as demonstrated by the fact that the 

 species is Montana's "State Animal," and there is specific policy directing management of the 

 species. Grizzly bear populations are currently increasing in the Yellowstone and portions of the 

 Northern Continental Divide area. A small population of grizzly bears in the Cabinet-Yaak area 

 of Montana appears to be slowly increasing. There are currently no documented grizzlies in the 

 Bitterroot ecosystem. 



It is important to recognize that the presence of a viable grizzly bear population is very important 

 to many people in Montana as well as nationally. This species is one of the things that makes 

 Montana such a special place to live, work, and recreate. Many people travel to Montana with 

 the hope of seeing a bear, and the stories of such encounters are retold many times. There are 

 also clear economic benefits from tourism, recreation, and potential harvest from the presence of 

 grizzlies. While FWP is fully aware that there are also costs and potential risks associated with 

 the species, this plan should allow FWP to manage these in a way that meets the needs of the 

 public. In light of this, the State of Montana has adopted the following policy for this species: 



Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission Policy 



The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission (MFWPC) is the policy making arm of 

 Montana's fish, wildlife, and parks programs. Section 87-1-301(1 ), Montana Codes Annotated 

 (MCA) requires the Commission to "set policies for the protection, preservation, and propagation 

 of the wildlife, fish, game, fiirbearers, waterfowl, nongame species, and endangered species of 

 the state for the fulfillment of all other responsibilities of FWP as provided by law." 



The legislature has given specific policy direction to the Commission on the issue of grizzly 

 bears. Section 87-5-301, MCA, states: 



"It is hereby declared the policy of the State of Montana to protect, conserve, and manage grizzly 

 bears as a rare species of Montana wildlife." 



Section 87-5-302 describes the FWP Commission's power regarding grizzly bears. 



Within this legal framework, the FWP Commission developed a grizzly bear policy in Section 

 12.9.103, ARM (Appendix B). That policy addresses the need to protect grizzly bear habitat, the 

 need to pursue grizzly bear research, the role of regulated hunting in grizzly bear management, 

 depredations and the appropriate FWP response to depredations, and requires compliance with 

 federal regulations relating to grizzly bears. It is within this framework, and that described by 

 the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531, et seq.), that specific FWP goals for the 

 grizzly bear were developed. Because of high mortality rates resulting from sudden closure of 

 open dumps in Yellowstone National Park, concern over the status of the grizzly population in 



