than recommended if the population fell below 400 individuals (the level necessary to 

 address genetic concerns). Generally, however, bear populations, like all other wildlife, 

 change in response to many environmental factors. FWP will use ongoing information 

 to adapt programs. These programs will be more conservative if populations drop and 

 more flexible at higher levels. As always, any changes in management will be open to 

 public review. 



FWP acknowledges that the plan contains a lack of specificity on some issues. 

 Reasons for this are that grizzly bear management programs, and other programs, 

 which potentially affect bears, are continually being adjusted as we gain new 

 information and experience. In addition, as bears reoccupy habitats FWP will have to 

 learn about how the bears use different food sources, adjust movement patterns, create 

 conflicts, and more. FWP will need to adjust programs accordingly. Also, some 

 aspects of management need to remain flexible. The narrative provided in the plan 

 provides a picture of FWP's intent in these cases. FWP will continue to follow a 

 comprehensive, collaborative process in the future to add specificity on things such as 

 population monitoring, trend, mortality management, and more as the plan is 

 implemented. 



Value of Grizzly Bears to the Tourism Industry: Commenters expressed the view 

 that grizzly bears are very important to Montana's tourism industry. Grizzly bears are 

 used in Montana advertising and promotions which results in many visitors arriving with 

 the hopes of viewing a bear. We recognize they grizzly bear's value to tourism, and the 

 plan should allow these benefits to continue and even expand by providing for a healthy 

 bear population. 



Nuisance Bears/Reporting Damage: There was a concern expressed by some that 

 some of the definitions and/or approaches to dealing with these issues were too vague 

 or left open to too much interpretation. It is very difficult to anticipate every potential 

 type of conflict that could occur. A review of FWP's current approaches to grizzly-bear 

 related problems in Montana indicates conflicts are very conservatively addressed. 

 FWP makes every effort to avoid unnecessarily removing bears from the population. 

 The plan recommends that these types of approaches continue. However, with 

 expanding numbers and distribution of bears, some animals will have to be removed 

 when conflicts develop. 



Other Issues Raised: 



Concern over SB163: We received comment that suggested that Senate Bill 163 

 (SB163) would require the elimination of grizzly bears by the state. This is not the case. 

 The statute and the legislative record of the bill indicate it is intended to deal with 

 individual animals that prey on livestock. These animals would be subject to control as 

 specified in the plan. The USFWS and Interior Department Solicitor's Office reviewed 

 this language and found it adequate for long-term management of the species. 



Ill 



