[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 107 (Monday, June 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29708-29709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13488]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Environmental Impact Statement for the Reintroduction of Grizzly 
Bears to the Bitterroot Mountains of Central Idaho and Western Montana

agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

action: Notice of public open houses.

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summary: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces its 
intention to hold public scoping sessions in the States of Idaho and 
Montana, and in one major city elsewhere, to further identify issues 
and develop management alternatives for the Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the reintroduction of grizzly bears to the 
Bitterroot Mountains of central Idaho and western Montana. This notice 
is being furnished as required by the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) regulations (CFR 1501.7) to obtain input from other agencies and 
the public on issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIS.

dates: Public scoping sessions will be held in Boise, Grangeville, and 
Orofino, Idaho; Hamilton, Helena, and Missoula, Montana; and Salt Lake 
City, Utah, from July 5 through July 11, 1995. The times and locations 
of the open houses will be announced in the local media and in mailings 
to interested public. Written comments should be received by July 20, 
1995.

addresses: Questions and comments concerning these public scoping 
sessions should be addressed to Dr. John Weaver, Team Leader, 
Bitterroot Grizzly Bear Environmental Impact Statement, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 5127, Missoula, Montana 59806.

for further information contact: Dr. John Weaver (see ADDRESSES 
section) at telephone (406) 329-3254.

supplementary information: Historically, the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos 
horribilus) was a widespread inhabitant of the Bitterroot Mountains in 
central Idaho and western Montana. The last documented grizzly bear was 
killed in the late 1930's, although occasional unverified reports 
persist. In 1975, the grizzly bear was listed as a threatened species 
in the 48 contiguous States under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). An interagency task force, 
working with a citizen's involvement group, drafted a chapter on 
grizzly bear recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem. Several scoping 
meetings were held in local communities of central Idaho and western 
Montana to gather public comments. The chapter developed for the 
Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan calls for an EIS to evaluate a full range of 
grizzly bear recovery alternatives, including the reintroduction of 
four to six grizzly bears per year for 5 years to the wilderness areas 
of central Idaho as an experimental, nonessential population under 
section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act.
    During scoping meetings concerning the chapter on the Bitterroot 
Ecosystem and the Notice of Intent to complete an EIS (60 FR 2399), the 
public identified several issues. These included recovery needs of the 
grizzly bear, recovery options and statutory classification, boundaries 
of the recovery zone, location and costs of a reintroduction program, 
management authority, concern for human safety, control of nuisance 
bears, and possible restrictions on human uses of public and private 
lands. Preliminary alternatives suggested to date include--(1) no 
action (natural recolonization from other grizzly bear populations), 
(2) reintroduction of grizzlies as a threatened species (management 
similar to other grizzly bear populations), and (3) reintroduction of 
grizzlies as an experimental, nonessential population 
[[Page 29709]] (greater management flexibility under a special 
rulemaking). Additional alternatives may be identified through the 
upcoming series of public scoping sessions for analysis in the draft 
EIS.
    A scoping newsletter details the EIS process; issues and 
alternatives identified to date; locations, dates, and times of open 
houses, and how to become involved. A 16-page booklet with answers to 
citizens' questions about grizzly bear recovery in the Bitterroot 
Ecosystem is available and will be inserted in the newsletter. 
Individuals who previously requested information on grizzly bear 
recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem will receive copies.
    Other interested persons can obtain copies of these materials and 
be placed on the mailing list by writing to Dr. John Weaver (see 
ADDRESSES section).

    Dated: May 25, 1995.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 95-13488 Filed 6-1-95; 8:45 am]
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