In efforts to keep grizzly bears out of Washington State, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) on Oct. 11 introduced legislation that would require the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to withdraw certain proposals related to grizzlies.
“Central Washingtonians have consistently voiced their concerns and opposition over the introduction of grizzly bears into the North Cascades Ecosystem,” Rep. Newhouse said, “yet unelected bureaucrats from the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service continue to try to force these predators upon our communities.”
Specifically, H.R. 5927 would withdraw the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed 10(j) rule and the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a draft grizzly bear restoration plan, which is designed to establish an experimental population of grizzly bear in the North Cascades Ecosystem of Washington.
“These agencies should listen to the people who would be most impacted by these actions and immediately withdraw their proposed rule and draft EIS statement so members of the region can rest safely knowing that an 800-pound apex predator is not going to enter into their backyard,” said Rep. Newhouse.
More than 6,200 comments have been received on the draft EIS, with the vast majority coming from outside of Washington, according to Rep. Newhouse’s staff.
On Sept. 28, the NPS and FWS announced their intention to seek public comment on a proposed rule under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act related to the potential introduction of grizzly bears in the North Cascades.
Rep. Newhouse on Oct. 6 requested that NPS and FWS extend their public comment period to accommodate locals who want to respond to the proposal, his staff said.