The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed a Draft Conservation Strategy and begun the process that could lead to removing the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species list in the Yellowstone Ecosystem. In addition to a final Conservation Strategy, state management plans from Idaho, Wyoming and Montana must be in place before the de-listing can proceed.
The section of Idaho Code which created the Office of Species Conservation (OSC) specifies the procedure to be followed in development of state management plans of this type. In accordance with that law, and in consultation with OSC, Department of Fish and Game Director Rod Sando is seeking nominations for membership on the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Delisting Advisory Team. The objective of the team will be to draft a State Management Plan for the Yellowstone Ecosystem population of grizzly bears.
The law specifies the delisting team can include up to nine members and must be "broadly representative of the constituencies with an interest in the species and its management or conservationÉ" Team members are required to have either a knowledge of the species; knowledge and expertise in the potential conflicts between a species' habitat requirements or management and human activities; knowledge and expertise in the interests that may be affected by species management or conservation; or "other knowledge, information, or data that will further the intent of the law."
Team members will be expected to take the time to attend the meetings and do the outside homework. They must be willing to work with people who may hold or represent a wide variety of views on the issues and they have to agree to abide by the team-developed process for producing a plan. The final product has to be acceptable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the public, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and the Idaho Legislature.
State Management Plans should "seek to: ensure the long-term viability of grizzly bears and preclude re-listing; support expansion of grizzly bears beyond the Primary Conservation Area in areas that are biologically suitable and socially acceptable; and manage grizzly bears as a game animal, including allowing regulated hunting when and where appropriate.
Sando's goal is to have an approved Draft Plan ready for the 2002 Legislature, so there will likely be 8-10 or more meetings before the end of the year.
The team will appoint its own chairman and the Department of Fish and Game will provide staff support, scientific expertise to answer questions and logistic support. Members will be reimbursed at standard state rates for travel and per diem expenses. All meetings will be held in the Yellowstone area. The De-listing Advisory Team will decide on the content of the plan and the process to be used to gather broader public input and comment on it.
Anyone interested in volunteering or nominating someone else should send documentation of the requirements listed above in written form to Rod Sando, Director, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, Idaho 83707.
(Formal notice follows)
NOTICE
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed a Draft Conservation Strategy and begun the process that could lead to removing the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species list in the Yellowstone Ecosystem. In addition to a final Conservation Strategy, state management plans from Idaho, Wyoming and Montana must be in place before the de-listing can proceed.
The section of Idaho Code which created the Office of Species Conservation (OSC) also specifies the procedure to be followed to guide development of state management plans of this type. In accordance with that law, and in consultation with OSC, I am seeking nominations for membership on the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Delisting Advisory Team.
Requirements
The law specifies the delisting team be composed of no more than nine (9) members and be "broadly representative of the constituencies with an interest in the species and its management or conservationÉ" Further it specifies that "team members shall be selected upon
- Their knowledge of the species;
- Their knowledge and expertise in the potential conflicts between a species' habitat requirements or management and human activities;
- Their knowledge and expertise in the interests that may be affected by species management or conservation; or
- Other factors that may provide knowledge, information, or data that will further the intent of this act."
In addition to the legal requirements, there are some organizational requirements. First, team members must commit to being able to take the time required to attend the meetings and do the outside homework that will be required. Second, team members must be willing to work constructively with people who may hold or represent a wide variety of views on the issues. In order to produce a balanced plan, the full range of views and interests must be represented. Third, team members must agree to abide by the process the team develops and to work constructively to achieve the goal of producing a state plan for the conservation and management of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem which will be acceptable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, affected citizens, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, and the Idaho Legislature. Finally, preference will be given to people who reside in the geographic area to be affected.
Objective
The objective of the De-listing Advisory Team is to draft a State Management Plan for the Yellowstone Ecosystem population of Grizzly Bears for consideration by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and the Idaho Legislature. In order for de-listing to occur, a Conservation Strategy to describe agency interaction, regulatory mechanisms, population monitoring and management, and habitat monitoring and management must be in place. A draft Conservation Strategy is under consideration and revision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, the States of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana must have management plans that are compatible with the Conservation Strategy and with each other. State Management Plans should be developed concurrently with revision of the Conservation Strategy and seek to:
- Ensure the long-term viability of grizzly bears and preclude re-listing.
- Support expansion of grizzly bears beyond the Primary Conservation Area in areas that are biologically suitable and socially acceptable.
- Manage grizzly bears as a game animal, including allowing regulated hunting when and where appropriate.
Time Frame
It is in the interest of the state to de-list Yellowstone grizzly bears as soon as possible. We do not want the lack of an approved Idaho Management Plan to delay the process. The draft developed by the De-listing Advisory Team will be reviewed and approved or returned for further work by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, then submitted to the Idaho Legislature for approval or modification as specified by law. My goal is to have an approved Draft Plan to the 2002 Legislature. Therefore, I anticipate there will be 8-10 or more meetings of the De-listing Advisory Team between June and the end of the year.
Process
The De-listing Advisory Team will appoint its own chairman to chair the meetings and administer team operations. The Department of Fish and Game will provide staff support, scientific expertise to answer questions, and logistic support. Members of the De-listing Advisory Team will be reimbursed at standard state rates for travel and per diem expenses. Meetings will be assisted by a professional facilitator. All meetings will be held in the Yellowstone area (Idaho Falls and Driggs). The De-listing Advisory Team will decide on the content of the plan and the process to be used to gather broader public input and comment on it.
Procedure
If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else, please provide documentation of the requirements listed above in written form to:
Rod Sando, Director
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
600 S. Walnut, P.O. Box 25
Boise, Idaho 83707
