U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) applauded recent action by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) concluding that grizzly bears will not be reintroduced into Washington State’s 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,” Rep. Newhouse said during a July 7 roundtable event in Omak, Wash., where local stakeholders and community leaders discussed the DOI decision with U.S. DOI Secretary David Bernhardt.
“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,” said the lawmaker.
The North Cascades Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement was first proposed by the Obama administration, according to Rep. Newhouse’s office, which noted that central Washington communities surrounding the North Cascades National Park were not provided an adequate opportunity to give their input on the proposal.
“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,” said Rep. Newhouse.
Secretary Bernhardt on Tuesday joined Rep. Newhouse in Washington to announce the final rulemaking decision on the North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan after following the federal rulemaking process, reviewing hundreds of local public comments, and hosting a public comment listening session last year.
“Representative Newhouse has been a tireless advocate for his community and his constituents regarding plans to reintroduce grizzly bears into the North Cascades Ecosystem,” Bernhardt told roundtable participants. “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.”