In Case You Missed It: Newhouse Attends Grizzly Public Comment Session
OKANOGAN – Yesterday, October 30th, Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) attended the first in-person public comment session on introducing grizzly bears to the North Cascades and delivered his personal comment in opposition to the proposal.
“As a farmer, I worry not only about the bears destroying my crops, but for the safety and well-being of myself, my family, and my on-farm hands,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse at the session.
Newhouse continues, “It is clear you all know that grizzlies can and probably will move out of the zone in which you drop them in, yet rather than letting common sense prevail, are continuing to push forward with this dangerous plan.”
The session was attended by approximately 200 citizens of North-Central Washington where third party moderators conduced a lottery-style selection of speakers to address the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as well as the National Parks Service (NPS).
The session also produced an overwhelming majority of speakers who opposed both the 10(j) proposal and the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with nearly 50 attendees speaking in opposition. Six speakers rose in support of the proposal.
“So tell me, what is the agencies’ plan for dealing with crop loss and livestock depredation that is inevitable from the introduction of these predators? What is the timeline for issuing lethal permits? And how much will citizens have to lose before they can defend themselves from this predator in their backyard?” Newhouse concluded.
“The question in front of us today is not whether we have 10(j) or 4(d) to manage these bears, it’s whether or not to introduce grizzly bears to this region at all.”
Photos from the event can be found here.
The public comment period on the Draft EIS runs from September 28 - November 13, 2023. You can find more information on how to participate in public comment meetings or leave a public comment here.
The list of upcoming public comment session can be found here.
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