More Montana Push For Reform Of Grizzly Endangered Species Act

Montana's grizzly bears are thriving, but what's next for the Endangered Species Act?

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT UNDER REVIEW

Colton Young with the Northern Ag Network tells us that the Endangered Species Act is currently under review in the House Natural Resources Committee. Montana Congressman Troy Downing is at the forefront of new legislation that would update laws established 53 years ago.

WELCOME TO THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA?

Congressman Downing's point is that while the original intent of the Act remains important, reforms are necessary. According to Downing, “One of the problems with the Endangered Species Act, as I understand it, is that none of us want to see any threatened species go extinct. It’s important that we provide those protections. But it’s become the ‘Hotel California,’ you can check in any time you want, but you can never leave.”

Downing pointed to Montana’s grizzly bear population as an example, noting it has met and exceeded recovery targets.

“We’ve seen that here in Montana with the grizzly population. It’s reached its numbers and exceeded them, and as an apex predator, it really has no natural threats.”

EXAMINE WHERE PROTECTIONS ARE TRULY NEEDED

Congressman Downing emphasized that the goal is not to remove protections where they are still needed, but to return management authority to the states once recovery goals are met.

“Nobody’s saying we want to eliminate protections where they’re due. But once those benchmarks set by scientists are met and even surpassed, it’s time to give states the power to manage those species appropriately.”

Colton Young also pointed out that meanwhile, a Senate committee has also held hearings on potential updates to the Endangered Species Act, signaling that lawmakers in both chambers may be ready for long-awaited reforms.

Further details from the article can be found here.