Grizzly Bear Review and Resource Restart Act of 2023
If passed, SB2571 would mandate the Secretary of the Interior to remove the grizzly bear from the list of endangered and threatened species within two years of the bill's enactment. The removal of these protections could significantly alter conservation policies and the management of wildlife in the regions where grizzly bears inhabit, particularly in states like Idaho and Montana where their populations are monitored. Additionally, it would prevent future listings of distinct population segments of the grizzly bear unless certain recovery criteria are met, potentially limiting the scope of federal protection over grizzly populations in these areas.
Senate Bill 2571, titled the 'Grizzly Bear Review and Resource Restart Act of 2023,' seeks to modify the status of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) under the Endangered Species Act. The bill asserts that the current entity of the grizzly bear in the contiguous lower 48 states is not a distinct species that qualifies for protections under the Act. It emphasizes the need to redirect federal conservation efforts towards species that require more urgent protections, suggesting that grizzly bears no longer need the same level of protection due to their population recovery in certain areas.
The bill has sparked debate among conservationists and lawmakers alike. Proponents argue that relieving federal protections would allow for necessary regional management flexibility and resource allocation, prioritizing more vulnerable species that need conservation assistance. Conversely, opponents express concerns that this measure may lead to increased risks for the grizzly bear population, which, despite some recovery, still faces threats from habitat encroachment, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict. Furthermore, the provision eliminating judicial review over the Secretary's decisions raises alarms regarding accountability and adherence to scientific assessment in wildlife management.