Idaho may be the next stop in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s grizzly bear comeback tour. The Bitterroot ecosystem is one of six identified grizzly bear recovery zones in the lower 48 and, to date, it lacks an established population, which is defined as two or more breeding females or one female with two consecutive litters. 

FWS opened its 60-day public comment period in late January. It will close on March 18. You can comment via this link and review the entire Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) here.

The initial EIS was issued back in November of 2000, outlining plans to reintroduce grizzlies into the Bitterroot ecosystem; however, nothing happened and, in 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana ruled that FWS had “unreasonably delayed implementing certain actions in the November 2000 ROD, including creating a citizens advisory committee,” according to a news release. FWS was given a choice between supplementing the 2000 EIS or issuing a new one. FWS chose to complete a new EIS and ROD, which will be finalized by November 2026. 

The current EIS proposes four restoration alternatives, according to Kiowa County Press:

Grizzlies have already been reestablished in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and North Continental Divide Ecosystem. The Bitterroot Recovery Zone is about 6,000 square miles, located in central Idaho and a bit of Montana. 

“Allowing them to move from these recovery zones that have seen these successes into a huge swath of the country that hasn't, and Idahoans in particular are in a place to be helpful in those conversations,” said Jeff Abrams, wildlife program associate for the Idaho Conservation League.

However, Abrams noted that part of the recovery effort means knowing how to handle any potential conflicts that may arise.

“Educating communities about bears being nearby, about bears potentially using habitat that folks like to recreate in, and how we can do that responsibly and safely is all part of the discussion,” said Abrams.

“We can definitely develop a tenable plan for the Bitterroot with the right mix of vision, of leadership, and courage,” Adams continued, “which is what it's going to take, and the bears themselves have shown that this can be done.”