HomeMy WebLinkAbout032124 - NPS_ FWS Release Final EIS Evaluating Options for North Cascades Grizzly Bear RestorationALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear local partner,
In November 2022, the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to evaluate options for restoring grizzly bears to
the North Cascades Ecosystem, part of their historic range, and a potential experimental population designation under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act.
Today, the two agencies are releasing a final EIS. The final EIS is not a decision to take a particular action, but evaluates the impacts of several alternatives. A full news release
is now available online. <https://go.nps.gov/NCEgrizzlyFEIS>
The document identifies the translocation of grizzly bears to the North Cascades from other ecosystems with an experimental population designation under section 10(j) of the Endangered
Species Act as the preferred alternative. If adopted, the experimental population designation would provide land managers and communities with additional management tools that would
not otherwise be available to manage a restored population.
In addition, the EIS also evaluates a ‘no action’ alternative and an alternative involving the translocation of grizzly bears under existing protections. The EIS analyzes all three alternatives
based on a number of topics, including impacts to other wildlife, wilderness character, recreation, safety, socioeconomics, and ethnographic resources.
Agencies anticipate issuing a record of decision in the weeks ahead.
Public feedback played a key role in the development of the final EIS. During the fall 2023 public comment period for the draft document, over 12,000 public comments were received, and
hundreds of citizens provided input at public meetings across the ecosystem. Comments and questions were reviewed and incorporated into the EIS where appropriate.
Grizzly bears occupied the North Cascades for thousands of years as an essential part of the ecosystem, distributing native plant seeds and keeping other wildlife populations in balance.
In the 20th century, humans nearly hunted them to extinction in the area. The last confirmed sighting of a grizzly bear in the U.S. portion of the North Cascades Ecosystem was in 1996.
See the full news release <https://go.nps.gov/NCEgrizzlyFEIS>
Review the final EIS <https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=327&projectID=112008&documentID=135745>
See frequently asked questions about the final EIS <https://www.nps.gov/noca/upload/NCE-Griz-FEIS-FAQs-20240321-508.pdf>