conduct at least one meeting annually to address grizzly bear management concerns and to 

 share with local residents current grizzly bear science, information, status, etc. 

 > These local meetings will not only react to problems after they happen, it is FWP's hope they 

 will anticipate conflicts, prepare for them, and try to prevent them. The goal of adaptive 

 management will be promoted by regular monitoring and making policy changes when 

 needed with the input of local residents and other interests. 



It is Montana's intent through these efforts to increase local participation in program 

 development and long-term local ownership of bear conservation programs. 



• Sanitation in rural communities that lie within occupied bear habitat is an ongoing major 

 issue. Efforts have been ongoing in Cooke City, Gardiner, and West Yellowstone. 

 Sanitation efforts at Big Sky are just starting. These efforts require strong citizen 

 involvement. For example. Big Sky straddles two counties. The Gallatin County portion has 

 a bear proof garbage ordinance while the Madison County portion does not. FWP envisions 

 a cooperative effort between FWP, Big Sky citizens, county commissioners, private interest 

 groups and garbage haulers to solve that sanitation problem, and some of this is already 

 occurring. 



• Local work groups in Bozeman, Livingston, Red Lodge, Ennis, Dillon, Big Sky, 

 AlderA^irginia City, and Emigrant/Gardiner if formed would act in an advisory role, and 

 partner with FWP. The purpose is to share information, generate citizen recommendations 

 for resolving bear/human conflicts, and increase tolerance for bears. These work groups 

 should have agriculture, sportsmen, conservationists, land management agency, and 

 conmiunity business representation and should coordinate across state boundaries where 

 appropriate. 



• FWP will seek to develop an MOU between counties and cities with bear proof garbage 

 ordinance so as to enhance enforcement effectiveness at the state, county, and community 

 level. 



• FWP recognizes that there is a national interest in the long-term conservation of this species. 

 As such, Montana anticipates providing opportunities for those representing that interest to 

 be involved as this program is developed and implemented. Any local meetings will be open 

 to the public and opportunities will be provided for others to share their perspectives and 

 contributions to program success. Interested parties can and do also participate in the 

 national processes which affect federal lands and programs. 



Secondary and Cumulative Impacts 



Successful implementation of the program will have some secondary and cumulative impacts on 

 other programs and some individuals. 



Implementing the habitat measures, and the preventative management programs, will 

 undoubtedly benefit other species of wildlife in Montana, especially black bears. Black bear 

 issues parallel those surrounding grizzlies, and the programs recommended should assist FWP 

 with their management as well. Also, when habitats are managed in a way that allows 

 occupancy and expansion of the grizzly bear population, many other species benefit. For 

 example, areas where road accesses are adequately managed benefit elk and other species as well 



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