Field reports: Feds may restore grizzly bears to North Cascades
WILDLIFE – A tentative federal proposal to restore grizzly bears in the North Cascades will be explained at public meetings next month.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service are taking public comments for an environmental impact statement before deciding whether to take an active role in restoring the grizzly bear to the North Cascades Ecosystem.
The first meeting is 5–7:30 p.m. on March 3 at the Red Barn in Winthrop. Other meetings will follow in Okanogan, Wenatchee, Cle Elum, Seattle and Bellingham.
Online comments will be accepted through March 26 at parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEG.
The grizzly bear was federally listed as a threatened species in the lower 48 United States in 1975. The species was listed as endangered by the state of Washington in 1980.
“The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan calls on us to fully consider the restoration of the grizzly bear in the North Cascades, and this process will ensure we solicit public input before putting any plan into action,” said Robyn Thorson, FWS Pacific regional director.
The North Cascades ecosystem encompasses 9,800 square miles in the United States and another 3,800 square miles in British Columbia. The United States portion includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas plus the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie national forests.
A few grizzly bears have recently been sighted in the Canadian part of the ecosystem, but no grizzlies have been confirmed in the United States portion since a hiker documented one with a photo in 2010.
Idaho seeks comments on fishing proposals
FISHING – The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is collecting ideas for fishing rule changes to be considered for 2016-2018.
Panhandle anglers have three opportunities this week to comment directly to fisheries managers at public meetings:
• Tuesday, Coeur d’Alene, Lake City Center Sportsman’s Breakfast, 6:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Coeur d’Alene, Regional Office 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., open house.
• Thursday, Sandpoint, annual State of the Lake Meeting, Ponderay Events Center, 7 p.m.
The agency also is asking anglers to suggest new fishing access sites.
Yellowstone charging for backcountry permit
PARKS – Yellowstone National Park will require an overnight backcountry permit fee starting May 1.
The National Park Service says the money raised from the new fee will help pay the costs of running the park’s backcountry program.
Under the new fee, anyone obtaining a permit to stay overnight in the backcountry between Memorial Day and Sept. 10 will have to pay a per person, per night permit fee for all individuals 9 years of age or older.
Backpackers and boaters will pay $3 per person, per night, with groups of 5 or more paying a total of $15 per night. Stock users will be charged $5 per person, per night.
An annual backcountry pass costs $25.