Barrasso Applauds DOI for Returning Management of Grizzly Bears to the West

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) applauded the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) for rolling back harmful Biden-era midnight regulations that prevented Wyoming and other states from independently managing grizzly bear populations.

If finalized, the proposed rule would give states more flexibility to manage grizzly bears while preserving protections under the Endangered Species Act.

Senator Barrasso issued the following statement on DOI's proposed rule:

"It's time for Wyoming - not Washington - to be in charge of managing grizzly bears. Today's action by the Trump administration puts power back into the hands of states and local communities who understand the situation and the science the best.

"The evidence is clear. The grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are thriving and do not need protection under the Endangered Species Act. In Wyoming, we've invested more than $50 million in this effort. We have a strong and proven track record of science-based management and have played a leading role in this successful recovery. I am proud to work with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Director of Fish and Wildlife Services Brian Nesvik to ensure Wyoming can continue to properly manage these bears to a healthy population."

Senator Barrasso recently met with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik in Washington, D.C.

Background on the 4(d) Rule:

On January 8, 2025, during the last few days of his presidency, President Biden issued a midnight rule keeping the Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Continental Divide grizzly bear on the Endangered Species List, despite state petitions from Wyoming and Montana.

Today, the Trump administration U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a draft revision of the January 2025 4(d) rule. This proposed rule change would give states more flexibility to manage grizzly bears while preserving protections under the Endangered Species Act.

If finalized, this rule would provide a tiered framework that would allow state wildlife managers to have more flexibility in managing federally listed species. It would also give states the ability to make on-the-ground decisions important to grizzly bear conservation and ensuring human safety.

The rule would cover all grizzly bears in the lower 48 U.S. states. The DOI will receive public comment on the proposed rule over the next 30 days.

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