Grizzly Introduction Plan Meeting Set for Monday

The U.S. Forest Service will be hosting a public meeting in Okanogan Monday to collect further comment on the Draft North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement.

The National Parks Service Chief of Visitor Services Denise Shultz explained why the Department of the Interior decided to re-open public comment for an additional 90 days.

"They just want to make sure that we are getting everyone's perspective and concerns." Shultz said, "We want to make sure we are thorough in the process."

U.S. Forest Service is trying to analyze the best way to restore grizzlies to the North Cascades ecosystem.

"There are four alternatives that are being considered. One is a no-action alternative and then there are three alternatives that have actions associated with them." added Shultz, "So what we're trying to do is understand the public's concerns or issues, or things that we need to look at, in order to be able to restore the grizzly bear to the ecosystem."

4th District Representative Dan Newhouse stated that the meeting is the people of North Central Washington's opportunity to come forward and make their opinions known.

"Let the (Department of the Interior) understand where you fall, whether you're for or against." Newhouse said, "I think that's important for me to communicate. We want people on both sides there. I want a true representation of the people of North Central Washington on how they feel about this."

Newhouse and other Eastern Washington officials have made their opinions on the issue quite clear during this process.

"It would be a mistake to introduce grizzlies into populated areas that could impact communities, could impact the livestock industry, the tourist industry." explained Newhouse, "There's just a lot of reasons why an apex predator being introduced into areas like we have in North Central Washington (is a bad idea)."

The public meeting on the plan is Monday evening at 5:00 pm in the Agriplex at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds. The first 30 minutes will be reserved for signing in. A brief 10 minute presentation is to follow before the public comment period, which is expected to take three hours.

A lottery system will be used for public comment during the meeting. Stenographers will also be on hand to enter everything into the public record.

Shultz said the preferred option of comment is online at parkplanning.nps.gov/grizzlydeis. Written comment can be sent to the Superintendents Office at North Cascades National Park Service Complex, 810 State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284.