Congressman Zinke Introduces Bill to Delist GYE Grizzly Bears as Endangered Species

(WASHINGTON, D.C) - Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke and Wyoming Congresswoman Harriett Hageman introduced the Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2023. The bill requires the DOI to reinstate the 2017 final rule removing grizzlies in the GYE from the Federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife within 180 days of enactment. The 2017 rule was issued by then-Secretary Ryan Zinke.

“Instead of moving the goal line, we should be celebrating the win – the Endangered Spices Act worked for grizzly bears in the GYE,” Zinke said. “As a Congressman, I am demanding the same thing I did as Secretary - If we are managing based on science, there must be an offramp for wildlife on the list once their goal is reached. Montana and Wyoming share more than a border, we share wildlife, ecosystems, and the shared responsibility to manage it properly. Congresswoman Hageman is a champion for wildlife management, and I am excited to work closely with her and members in both chambers on this critical piece to ensure they make the right choice for Montana.”