In a landmark decision, the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have finalized a plan to restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) in northwestern and north-central Washington. The Joint Record of Decision (ROD), signed in April 2024 by NPS Director Charles F. Sams III and FWS Director Martha Williams, selects Alternative C from the North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (plan/EIS). This initiative designates grizzly bears in the U.S. portion of the NCE as a nonessential experimental population (NEP) under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), aiming to reestablish a population of 200 bears over 60 to 100 years.
Background and Need for Action
Grizzly bears, listed as threatened in the lower-48 states since 1975, historically roamed the NCE but are now considered functionally extirpated in the U.S. portion of the ecosystem, with no confirmed sightings since 1996. The NCE, spanning the Cascade Range from temperate rainforests to dry ponderosa pine forests, offers sufficient habitat to support approximately 280 bears under current conditions, with potential for up to 578 bears factoring in climate change impacts over the next century. The restoration plan seeks to revive the grizzly population to enhance biodiversity, build ecological resilience, support Tribal cultural values, and contribute to the species’ recovery across its range.
Selected Alternative: Alternative C
Under Alternative C, the NPS and FWS will translocate 3 to 7 grizzly bears annually for 5 to 10 years to establish an initial population of 25 bears, with an additional 11 bears to account for mortality or emigration. The goal is a self-sustaining population of 200 bears within 60 to 100 years. Bears will be sourced from healthy populations in ecologically similar ecosystems, prioritizing subadults aged 2 to 5 with no history of human conflict. The NEP designation provides management flexibility, allowing actions like nonlethal deterrence, relocation, or, in rare cases, lethal removal to address conflicts, ensuring both bear conservation and human safety.
Implementation Details
Capture and Release: Bears will be captured using culvert traps, with helicopter support where needed, and released in prime habitat areas on NPS or national forest lands. Release sites will feature high-quality seasonal habitat, low human activity, and suitable helicopter landing zones. Releases will occur between June and September, targeting a 60% to 80% female sex ratio to promote reproduction.
Monitoring: GPS collars and genetic sampling will track bear movements, habitat use, and reproduction. Adaptive management will address mortality, genetic diversity, and population distribution, with periodic recapture to maintain collared samples.
Public Safety and Outreach: Enhanced education efforts will include weekly updates during initial releases, bear safety training, and signage at trailheads. Sanitation measures, like bear-resistant trash receptacles and food storage lockers, will minimize conflicts.
Habitat and Access Management: The plan maintains a “no net loss” approach to core grizzly habitat and allows short-term area closures for bear releases or safety concerns, avoiding long-term public access restrictions.
Environmental and Cultural Considerations
The NPS and FWS conducted consultations under the ESA, finding that the restoration will not adversely affect listed species like Puget Sound Chinook salmon, bull trout, or Canada lynx. Tribal consultations with groups like the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Yakama Nation emphasized the cultural significance of grizzly bears, with ongoing engagement planned. The Washington State Historic Preservation Office confirmed no impact on cultural resources.
Why Alternative C?
Alternative C was chosen for its balance of effective restoration and management flexibility. Unlike the no-action Alternative A, which relies on unlikely natural recovery, or Alternative B, which retains stricter ESA protections, Alternative C’s NEP designation allows tailored management to prevent conflicts while advancing recovery goals. It supports biodiversity, aligns with Tribal values, and fosters public engagement through education, making it the environmentally preferable option for minimizing ecological harm and enhancing natural resources.
Looking Ahead
The restoration effort, backed by decades of research and public input, marks a significant step toward recovering grizzly bears in the NCE. By reintroducing bears and fostering coexistence with local communities, the NPS and FWS aim to ensure the species’ long-term survival while enriching the region’s ecological and cultural heritage.
Reference: National Park Service & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2024, April). Joint Record of Decision: Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan, North Cascades Ecosystem.
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