By Mikaela Thom
Published: Jul. 14, 2026 at 6:24 PM PDT
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – On Tuesday, the Department of the Interior is proposing increased flexibility in grizzly bear management in Idaho, Montana, Washington and Wyoming, where the bears have met or exceeded federal recovery benchmarks.
Grizzly bears were listed as a threatened species in the lower 48 states in 1975. This proposed change does not affect their listing status under the Endangered Species Act
“The science is more than clear: grizzly bears have recovered and far exceeded every federal recovery benchmark. Today, Interior is returning conservation leadership to the Western states instead of Washington bureaucrats,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “Under the leadership of President Trump, we’re following the science, upholding the law and ending politics masquerading as conservation.”
There will be a 30-day public comment period. You can learn more here.