Participation Brings Measure Of Control
Gov. Phil Batt, Idaho congressmen and state legislators should be concerned by federal efforts to reintroduce grizzly bears into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area concerned, but not adamantly opposed to the idea.
After all, the majestic beasts roam great distances; therefore, they would pose a hazard to livestock and occasionally scare a human half to death. They also could affect logging operations and require road closures.
Some environmentalists will seize any endangered critter available - spotted owls, wolves, caribou, salmon - to block logging, mining or whatever else interferes with their primeval forest experience.
But environmentalists aren’t the only ones ready to welcome grizzly bears back to Idaho’s wilds. Two 1997 polls pegged support for a recovery program in Idaho between 43 percent and 48 percent. Support shot up to 62 percent if the program were controlled locally.
Rather than be stiff-necked, Idaho’s elected leaders should leave themselves wiggle room to be part of a recovery effort if grizzlies are forced on them. Obstinacy cost the state the opportunity to manage the reintroduction of the timber wolf in 1995.
Public support for the grizzly, a powerful symbol of the old West, is second only to support for the wolf. Chris Servheen, a bear recovery expert, explained why: “The fact that there are still places out there that such a magnificent, wild, large animal could live on its own often is astounding to people. Maybe the grizzly gives them some hope for the Earth.”
A majority of Idahoans and neighboring Montanans back recovery efforts if certain conditions are met.
Those conditions are found in a compromise plan fashioned by the Intermountain Forest Industry Association, Defenders of Wildlife and the National Wildlife Federation. These include relocating bears if they wander into populated areas, having a citizen committee manage the experimental population, limiting reintroduction costs to $250,000 a year and not imposing new restrictions on human activity.
Local control is the key.
Under the joint plan, which is likely to be the favored alternative of the U.S. Forest Service, a 13-member board would oversee the program. Batt and Montana Gov. Marc Racicot would appoint all but two members.
In the past, the federal government has reintroduced wolves to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho despite strident objections from affected states. If grizzlies are forced on Idaho, too, the state’s loggers, miners and ranchers need to have their elected leaders help tailor the program - not sit on the sidelines pouting.
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