On January 8, 2025 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a new and comprehensive approach to long-term grizzly bear recovery in the lower 48 states and the concerns of those living with and near bears. The Service is proposing a rule to clarify the geographic area where grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are subject to protection under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also proposes revisions to the current protective regulations to provide additional management flexibility for authorized agencies and individuals experiencing conflicts with grizzly bears. Learn more about the important details of this announcement: News Release: USFWS Proposes Update to Grizzly Bear Endangered Species Act Listing and Management and Questions and Answers.
Map of proposed lower 48 grizzly bear Distinct Population Segment boundary, overlaid with current recovery zones.
While the Service has announced this action, it has not yet formally appeared in the Federal Register. In the coming days, the Federal Register will schedule these actions for official publication, at which time a 60-day public comment period will be initiated. Check back here for updates.
Public Meetings
The Service has scheduled the following public meetings, check back for updates. In-person public meetings will have two segments, an initial public information session followed by a formal public hearing to receive official comments. Official public comments do not need to be made in-person and may also be submitted through regulations.gov once the announcement is published in the Federal Register.
January 28, 2025: Missoula, MT at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3720 N Reserve St
Information meeting 3pm-5pm, public hearing 6pm-8pm (Mountain Time)
January 29: Coeur d’Alene, ID at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way, Building 19
Information meeting 3pm-5pm, public hearing 6pm-8pm (Pacific Time)
January 30: Virtual meeting, check back for link in coming days
6pm-8pm (Mountain Time)
February 10: Cody, WY at the Holiday Inn, 1701 Sheridan Ave
Information meeting 3pm-5pm, public hearing 6pm-8pm (Mountain Time)
