Interior Secretary Proposes Shifting Grizzly Bear Management to States

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced a proposal on July 15, 2026, to transfer the management of grizzly bears in the contiguous United States to state wildlife agencies. Speaking in Big Sky, Montana, Burgum and the governors of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming introduced a revision of the 4(d) rule under the Endangered Species Act. This framework shifts decision-making power to the states in areas meeting federal recovery benchmarks while keeping the species listed as threatened.

Under the proposal, state agencies in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming will gain authority over state parks and public lands, though the National Park Service and Forest Service will retain control of federal lands. Officials explicitly stated the rule does not permit the establishment of hunting seasons. The shift is intended to provide more tools for livestock producers and landowners facing human-wildlife conflicts as the population of approximately 1,900 to 2,000 bears expands.

Governors Greg Gianforte, Mark Gordon, and Brad Little supported the move, arguing that local officials are better positioned to handle bear conflicts. However, the proposal faces opposition from Native American tribes and environmental groups, including Earthjustice and the Center for Biological Diversity. These critics contend the move is politically motivated and premature due to habitat destruction and low genetic diversity. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened a 30-day public comment period ending August 17, 2026.