Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of the Grizzly Bear in the Lower-48 States
Published Date: 1/15/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed a request to create and remove a special grizzly bear group in the Greater Yellowstone area from protection. They found that this group doesn’t qualify as a separate population, so they won’t change its protected status right now. This decision, made in January 2025, keeps protections in place for grizzlies in the lower-48 states, ensuring their safety continues without new costs or deadlines.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Range Expansion Findings and Upcoming 2026 Rulemaking
The Service reports that GYE occupied range grew about 4% from 2016–2022 and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem range grew about 19% in that period, with the two populations now about 98 kilometers (61 miles) apart and within dispersal distance. The Service also says it will complete a rangewide rulemaking to evaluate the grizzly bear's listed entity by January 31, 2026, which could consider potential DPSs and possible changes to the current listing.
GYE Delisting Petition Denied; Protections Continue
On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that the petition to create and delist a Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) distinct population segment (DPS) of grizzly bear is not warranted. That decision leaves the grizzly bear listed as a threatened entity in the lower-48 States and maintains existing protections under the Endangered Species Act.
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Key Dates
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