U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) on Nov. 10 noted opposition to the Biden administration renewed efforts to evaluate options for restoring and managing grizzly bears in the North Cascades region of Washington State.
“The introduction of grizzly bears into the North Cascades would directly, and negatively, impact the people and the communities I represent,” Rep. Newhouse said. “My constituents and I have consistently opposed proposals to do so under multiple administrations because introducing an apex predator to the area would threaten the families, wildlife, and livestock of north central Washington.”
The congressman released his statement after the U.S. Department of Interior, the National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced they are jointly initiating an Environmental Impact Statement process via four virtual public meetings being held on Nov. 15, Nov. 18, Dec. 1, and Dec. 2.
“It is disappointing that local voices are once again being ignored by federal bureaucrats, even after the last process was discontinued due to overwhelming local opposition,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I strongly encourage the people of central Washington to attend the virtual meetings in order to voice their opinion and put this misguided proposal to rest, once and for all.”
The NPS and USFWS will host the series of virtual public meetings to discuss grizzly bear restoration during the public scoping period, which runs from Nov. 10 through Dec. 14.