U.S. Wants Yellowstone Grizzlies Off Protected List (Update1)
Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The Bush administration wants grizzly bears in the Yellowstone National Park area removed from the federal endangered species list, saying the population has tripled in 30 years and no longer needs protection.
More than 600 grizzlies live in Yellowstone and its surrounding area, an area including parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and covering a range 48 percent larger than when the bears were first shielded by federal law in 1975, according to the Interior Department.
``The population is no longer threatened,'' the department said in a statement announcing the administration's recommendation, which still must have a period of public comment before becoming final.
The decision has divided major U.S. environmental groups, with some arguing against overusing the Endangered Species Act, and others saying the bears, which can grow to as much as 1,000 pounds, will now face threats from expanded hunting, development, logging, road construction and oil and gas exploration.
Hey Boo Boo! That ain't no picinic basket!
Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The Bush administration wants grizzly bears in the Yellowstone National Park area removed from the federal endangered species list, saying the population has tripled in 30 years and no longer needs protection.
More than 600 grizzlies live in Yellowstone and its surrounding area, an area including parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and covering a range 48 percent larger than when the bears were first shielded by federal law in 1975, according to the Interior Department.
``The population is no longer threatened,'' the department said in a statement announcing the administration's recommendation, which still must have a period of public comment before becoming final.
The decision has divided major U.S. environmental groups, with some arguing against overusing the Endangered Species Act, and others saying the bears, which can grow to as much as 1,000 pounds, will now face threats from expanded hunting, development, logging, road construction and oil and gas exploration.
Hey Boo Boo! That ain't no picinic basket!
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