[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 35519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17260]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: To further the recovery of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos 
horribilis), the Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability 
of the DEIS for Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE). 
The DEIS evaluates a proposal to establish an experimental population 
rule and reintroduce grizzly bears into the Bitterroot Ecosystem in 
east central Idaho and western Montana. The proposed rule to establish 
the nonessential experimental population is published elsewhere in this 
Federal Register. Four alternatives, including the No Action 
Alternative, are discussed in the DEIS.
    The BE consists of approximately 44,400 square miles in 10 central 
Idaho and four western Montana counties, of which 76 percent is in 
Federal surface ownership. A Citizen Management Committee would be 
delegated management implementation responsibility for the experimental 
population. Reintroduction could result in grizzly bear recovery in the 
BE in a minimum of 50 years. A recovered grizzly bear population 
(approximately 280 bears) would kill about 6 cattle and 22 sheep and up 
to 504 wild ungulates per year. Nuisance bear incidents could average 
59 per year. Economic analyses indicate grizzly bear recovery in the BE 
would lead to total net economic benefits of $40.4 to $60.6 million per 
year.

DATES: Copies of the DEIS will be mailed to interested parties on the 
mailing list on July 1, 1997, and the proposed rule to establish the 
nonessential experimental population is published elsewhere in this 
Federal Register. Those interested persons not on the DEIS mailing list 
may request a copy from the project leader at the address below. It is 
anticipated that the Environmental Protection Agency will publish a 
notice on this DEIS in the Federal Register on July 11, 1997, which 
will start a 90-day review period. Public comment on the DEIS is 
solicited pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act regulations 
(40 CFR 1503.1). All agencies and individuals are urged to provide 
comments and suggestions for improving the DEIS and the proposed 
experimental population rule. All comments received by October 9, 1997, 
will be considered in preparation of the Final EIS and rule.
    Public hearings on the DEIS will be scheduled at a later date for 
the cities of Boise, Lewiston, and Salmon, Idaho; and Helena, Missoula, 
and Hamilton, Montana. The location, dates and times of these hearings 
will be announced in the Federal Register at least 15 days prior to the 
first hearing, and in local newspapers.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Dr. Christopher 
Servheen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Leader, Bitterroot 
Grizzly Bear EIS, P.O. Box 5127, Missoula, Montana 59806.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Christopher Servheen, Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator (see 
ADDRESSES above), at telephone (406) 243-4903.

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: June 25, 1997.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver Colorado.
[FR Doc. 97-17260 Filed 6-30-97; 8:45 am]
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