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For decades, the debate over grizzly bear introduction into the North Cascades ecosystem has raged on, and I have been fighting tirelessly to ensure that the voices of Central Washingtonians are heard. Last week the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released their final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and recommended a reintroduction of grizzly bears to the region.
Last October, I joined folks in Okanogan for one of the public comment sessions where I witnessed the widespread local opposition to the then-draft EIS. During the session, I heard comments from parents who were scared for their children, farmers who were worried about their crops and employees, and ranchers who were concerned that their livestock would be attacked.
These concerns are not unfounded; in fact, the EIS even states that “livestock depredation by grizzly bears would likely occur” in the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE). The National Park Service and USFWS also admit that “the restoration of grizzly bears in the NCE has raised concerns about safety risks… because of the potential for human-grizzly bear conflicts.”
The Biden Administration is advocating for policies that represent the opinions of coastal elites when they should be listening to local voices. To help combat this, I introduced an amendment in the Interior Appropriations bill aimed at prohibiting federal funding for the implementation or enforcement of the EIS. While this is not the outcome most were hoping for, I will continue to ensure my constituents’ voices and opposition are heard in the fight to stop this ill-advised proposal in Congress.
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