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Fighting for Reclassification of the "NCE" Grizzly Bears
The North Cascades Ecosystem population of grizzly bears is at risk of extinction. Our goal, through this case, is to get the bears reclassified as "endangered" and get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement full recovery of this population of the bear.
This case concerns the recovery of the North Cascades Ecosystem population (“NCE”) of grizzly bears. Of the few remaining grizzly bear U.S. populations, the NCE population is considered the most imperiled. Although estimates vary, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("USFWS") stated in 2000 that there are probably no more than 20 bears remaining in the NCE. In 2002, the agency estimated that only five bears comprise the NCE population. Meanwhile, the agency estimates that a “recovered” NCE population would number between 200 and 400 bears, the NCE Recovery Plan is at 3 – thus, it is clear that the population is far below the level necessary for viability and has a high probability of local extinction. Our goal is to get the bears reclassified as “endangered” through an emergency rule, and to get the USFWS to implement the Recovery Chapter fully.
Attorney: Matt Kenna