July 15, 2026 – Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation commented on the U.S. Department of Interior’s July 14thannouncement of a revised proposal to return management of grizzly bears to the states:

“The original intent of the ESA is to promote species recovery and delisting, not to impose permanent protected status for animals that are thriving,” said Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Kerin Clark. “Grizzly bear numbers in Wyoming have remained well above the numbers established for a recovered population.”

“The proposed rule is an important step towards state-led management where boots-on-the-ground experience can objectively manage grizzly bears,” Clark said. “Wildlife management decisions should be based on local science and not national politics.”

 “The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to see a practical, science-based proposal to manage a species that impacts landowners and communities across Wyoming,” Clark concluded.

 The proposed rule and comment process can be found at: https://www.fws.gov/grizzlyrulemaking. 

 The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization. The mission of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation: Strengthening Wyoming Agriculture, Enhancing Wyoming Communities.

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