Newhouse Reacts to Public Comment Period on Grizzly Bear Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reopened the public comment period on the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement:

"I remain opposed to the transfer of grizzly bears to the North Cascades on behalf of my constituents, who would be directly affected," said Rep. Newhouse. "Introducing an additional apex predator to an area that is populated by families and livestock is extremely concerning, but I am glad the Department of Interior is seeking real, local public comments on this issue. I encourage the people of Central Washington to make their voices heard loud and clear so the Administration will end this misguided proposal once and for all."

Background:

The North Cascades Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement was first proposed by the Obama Administration. Central Washington communities surrounding the North Cascades National Park were not provided an adequate opportunity to give their input on the proposal.

In March 2017, Rep. Newhouse wrote to North Cascades National Park Service Superintendent Karen Taylor-Goodrich to express opposition to the plan, citing an inadequate level of local community input and encouraging federal agencies to defer to state and local authorities on grizzly bear management efforts.

On April 12, 2018, Rep. Newhouse wrote a letter to former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, expressing his deep concern regarding the then-Secretary's support for the proposal.

On June 6, 2018, the House Appropriations Committee approved Rep. Newhouse's amendment to the FY19 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that would deny funding to the U.S. Department of Interior to be used for the transport of grizzly bears in the North Cascades until local communities had the chance to adequately submit their public comments. The amendment was included in the passage of the final FY19 Interior Appropriations language.