Department of Interior ditches plan to bring grizzlies to the North Cascades

OMAK, Wash.-- Department of Interior (DOI) secretary David Bernhardt announced Tuesday during a visit to Eastern Washington that the agency will not reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades.

The North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan was initially introduced under the Obama administration, and underwent several years of review as part of the federal rulemaking process. Hundreds of local public comments were submitted, and the DOI hosted a public comment listening session in Okanogan County last year, leading up to the final decision no grizzly bears will be introduced into the North Cascades Ecosystem.

“This announcement is welcomed by my constituents in Central Washington who have consistently shared my same concerns about introducing an apex predator into the North Cascades,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse. “Homeowners, farmers, ranchers, and small business owners in our rural communities were loud and clear: We do not want grizzly bears in North Central Washington. I have long advocated that local voices must be heard by the federal government on this issue, and I am enormously grateful to Secretary Bernhardt for not only listening to our concerns and opinions, but for delivering this news in person, right here in North Central Washington.”

The announcement came at a roundtable discussion in Omak, Washington where local stakeholders and community leaders had the opportunity to engage with Secretary Bernhardt, ask questions, and provide feedback on the decision.

“The Trump Administration is committed to being a good neighbor, and the people who live and work in north central Washington have made their voices clear that they do not want grizzly bears reintroduced into the North Cascades," said Sec. Bernhardt. "Grizzly bears are not in danger of extinction, and Interior will continue to build on its conservation successes managing healthy grizzly bear populations across their existing range.”