as bears. There will also be economic benefits to Montana from an expanded bear population. 

 Many people travel to, and relocate to, Montana because of the state's diverse and abundant 

 wildlife resources. In addition, the value of many properties in Montana are enhanced by the 

 presence of wildlife and the opportunities for associated recreation and potential harvests. 



There is the potential that population levels of black bears could be somewhat reduced due to the 

 presence of grizzly bears in currently unoccupied habitats. Based on the current status of black 

 bears in and adjacent to areas currently occupied by grizzlies in Montana, impacts are not 

 anticipated to be significant. 



Other agencies that manage lands in southwestern Montana could see increased costs due to 

 expanded food storage rules, habitat management changes, and so on. Most of these changes are 

 already occurring in the areas that could be occupied by grizzly bears in the near term, and the 

 public has clearly indicated support for these efforts. Also, because grizzly bears have always 

 had and will always have a high public profile, public pressure could result in FWP and other 

 agencies reprioritizing programs to focus more effort on grizzly bear management. It is FWP's 

 hope that by managing grizzlies as one more component of our wildlife programs such 

 reprioritization would have minimal affect on other programs. 



While there are many benefits to expanded grizzly bear populations, there is no denying that 

 there will be impacts to livestock producers and property owners due to conflicts with grizzly 

 bears as the population expands. Implementing the programs recommended in this document 

 will minimize those impacts through prevention, where possible, and adequate management if 

 conflicts occur. Implementing the road density standards as recommended is already occurring 

 for elk management and is allowing for some expansion in the bear population. Future 

 adjustments may be necessary. However, many of these issues are currently being addressed to 

 meet other resource needs (erosion control, water quality, etc.), and those changes are not related 

 to bear concerns. 



Irreversible/Irretrievable Resource Commitment 



The programs recommended in this document should not result in any irreversible/irretrievable 

 commitment of resources with few exceptions. If expansion of bears proves untenable in some 

 areas, FWP has demonstrated the ability to remove bears. Likewise, habitat programs, access 

 management, and so on can all be reversed or revised if needed. The level of recommended 

 mortality will not result in any irreversible commitment of the grizzly bear resource and should 

 allow it to flourish. Because these levels of removal can be regulated or eliminated on an annual 

 basis, or even short time basis (should data indicate that to^be prudent), the management program 

 poses no threat to the species, and should benefit it. 



Conversely, because the grizzly bear and other Montana wildlife serve as a major component of 

 our quality of life in Montana and this is attracting new residents and an expanding human 

 population, the state is seeing some irretrievable commitment of resources. Subdivisions, energy 

 development, and other "land development" programs are slowly but steadily altering grizzly 

 habitat. While Montana officials can moderate this loss to a degree by allowing the bear 

 population to expand into currently unoccupied habitats and by managing occupied habitats to 



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