Idaho: Gov. Little applauds Trump administration’s proposal to return greater grizzly bear management to states
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Boise, Idaho ~ In a joint press conference held in Montana on Tuesday, Governor Brad Little of Idaho, along with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik, announced a proposed federal rule that would grant states more control over managing recovered grizzly bear populations while still upholding protections under the Endangered Species Act.

The proposal acknowledges the successful conservation efforts of various stakeholders such as states, tribes, federal agencies, private landowners, and local communities that have led to the recovery of grizzly bear populations beyond federal goals in many areas.

Governor Little expressed his support for the proposal, stating that Idaho has proven its ability to conserve grizzly bears while also responsibly managing wildlife and protecting communities. He also thanked President Trump and Secretary Burgum for recognizing that recovered grizzly populations should be managed by the states rather than by Washington D.C.

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Idaho has been a strong advocate for returning grizzly bear management to the states. In 2022, the state petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist lower-48 grizzly bears. In 2025, Idaho reached a legal settlement requiring the agency to issue a final rule addressing the listing status of grizzly bears.

It is important to note that this proposed rule does not change the status of grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act. Instead, it aims to provide additional flexibility in management decisions for areas where recovery goals have been met. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened a 30-day public comment period for feedback on the proposal.

For more information on the proposed rule and how to submit public comments, interested individuals can visit https://www.fws.gov/grizzlyrulemaking.

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