Governor Mark Gordon responded to U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson’s favorable order that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service make a final determination on Wyoming’s petition to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) grizzly within 45 days.
Wyoming’s petition to delist was submitted in January 2022 after the GYE population was determined to be recovered in the region under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA provides that the USFWS shall make a determination on a delisting petition within 12 months of its receipt. After multiple months of missed deadlines by USFWS, Wyoming filed suit in May 2023, asking the court to order the Department of Interior to issue a final determination on Wyoming’s petition.
Governor Gordon issued the following statement:
“This is a step towards returning rightful management of the GYE grizzly bear population back to the states. It should not take a judge’s order for USFWS to meet deadlines, and I look forward to the process finally continuing,” Governor Gordon said. “We have known for years that Wyoming’s grizzly bears have exceeded population goals and the State has met recovery criteria time and time again.
With the bear recovered, it is long past time for GYE grizzly bear management to be entrusted to the states. The USFWS can no longer stand unresponsive to our petition to move forward with the delisting process. The State of Wyoming has proven its ability to manage the bear and ensure the viability and protection of this remarkable species.”
The judge’s order may be found here.
