Grizzly Bear Advisory Council member seeks public input

SWAN VALLEY - Volunteer Grizzly Bear Advisory Council member and Swan Valley Connections employee Jonathan Bowler talked about the need for public input concerning grizzly bear management. He also talked about the purpose and the work of the GBAC at the Swan Valley Community Council meeting Jan. 21.

Grizzly bear populations continue to expand in Montana and even into areas that have not seen them in decades. It is creating management and conflict challenges demanding solutions.

In April 2019 Montana Governor Steve Bullock directed the GBAC made up of 18 volunteers representing different stakeholders and viewpoints to make grizzly bear management recommendations by August 2020. The volunteers represent the wide economic and geographical diversity in the state.

The main topics focused on by the GBAC include: Grizzly bear distribution within Montana and outside; established recovery zones set forth by the Endangered Species Act; activity moving between ecosystems; conflict prevention; response protocols within the state; transplant protocols; role of hunting and long-term resources for sustainability of grizzly bear conservation.

Bowler said he has received only 60 comments, some that reflect “love or hate” of grizzly bears which gives him an idea how people feel. However, he is also looking for comments that focus on workable ideas, how to improve management, maintain funding and ideas that focus on the GBAC’s topics.

“August 2020 is too late [to receive comments]. The more [comments from citizens] that we can hear from for any reason can help quite a bit,” said Bowler. “No single person is creating the recommendations. There are things that we all can agree on. They have to be socially acceptable and make the test of time.”

Bowler responded to questions from those in attendance.

What is the reason that bears are sent back or euthanized when they relocate to the Bitterroot? The Bitterroot is an established recovery area but has no permanent population. The Montana side of the Bitterroot Mountains is socially inhospitable to the bears. There are many agricultural tracts and lots of attractants that get them in trouble.

There is plenty of available space in the Bitterroot Mountains. Why is that not working? On the west side of the Bitterroots, Idaho is not encouraging bears to relocate. Idaho is taking a wait-and-see attitude dependent on the outcome of Montana’s decisions.

What is another established recovery area in Montana? The Cabinet-Yaak area has open landscapes for bear populations.

How are the challenges different on the east side of the front? Bears have spread their habitat to private lands belonging to landowners and ranchers. There are large acre ranches with livestock and little funding for conflicts that occur. There are too few bear conflict specialists for the large area and resources are stretched thin.

What happens to conservation funding if the bears are delisted from the Endangered Species? Federal funding goes away. Hunting license fees can contribute but there may be need to monitor populations before that happens.

Could tourists’ taxes be used for bear management? Resort taxes that depend on bear sightings would be a way for visitors to contribute to the bears’ management.

Will the Swan’s voice be heard? The Swan is a good proving ground. Other areas of the state can learn from us how we have handled the challenge of bears’ presence.

What takes place at the meetings? There are presentations from experts on the topic of the meeting. There is a public question and answer session. GBAC members and the attendees meet in separate groups to brainstorm a concrete scenario and report to the whole group about their solutions. It is educational and interactive. The informal times of talking together is beneficial also.

What will be done with the recommendations? Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will be involved and the governor can use them for legislative action.

Bowler told the Pathfinder that recommendations will be made according to consensus reached from information and comments the GBAC receives. Issues without agreement will be included as input to the governor

Following eight meetings that began in October 2019 and continue through July 2020, along with input from citizens, the GBAC will make its recommendations to the governor in August 2020. The next meeting will be held Feb. 26-27 in Libby, Mont. Bowler said that the presentation topic will be recreation impacts and bear conflicts that can arise within recreation areas.

Comments can be sent directly to Bowler at jonathan@SVconnections.org or 406-754-3137. For agendas, presentations, minutes of the meetings, dates for future meetings and to enter comments, visit: http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/grizzlyBear/gbac.html

In other business, the SVCC voted to assign officers. Ken Donovan will remain the Chairman, Kathy Koors is Vice Chair, secretary is Nathan Richardson and Lacey McNutt is treasurer pending her acceptance since she was not in attendance. Dan Saari was appointed to fill Henry Westra’s remaining term.

In public comment, Dan Maloughney from Swan Valley Emergency Service told attendees that Life Flight, an air ambulance, is available for rural residents for a yearly membership fee that covers family members living in the same household. For more information call Maloughney 406-754-2260.

The next SVCC meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Swan Valley Community Hall.