[Federal Register: November 17, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 223)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 69623-69643]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17no00-14]                         


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Part IV





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 17



Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Establishment of a 
Nonessential Experimental Population of Grizzly Bears in the Bitterroot 
Area of Idaho and Montana; Final Rule



Record of Decision Concerning Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Bitterroot 
Ecosystem; Notice


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AE00

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Establishment of a 
Nonessential Experimental Population of Grizzly Bears in the Bitterroot 
Area of Idaho and Montana

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to restore 
the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), a threatened species, into east-
central Idaho and a portion of western Montana. We are designating 
grizzly bears to be reintroduced into the area described in this rule 
as a nonessential experimental population pursuant to section 10(j) of 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Grizzly bear 
populations have been extirpated from most of the lower 48 United 
States. They presently occur in populations in the Selkirk and Cabinet-
Yaak ecosystems in north Idaho, northeastern Washington, and 
northwestern Montana; the North Cascades ecosystem in northwestern 
Washington; the Northern Continental Divide ecosystem in Montana; and 
the Yellowstone ecosystem in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho.
    The purpose of this reintroduction is to reestablish a viable 
grizzly bear population in the Bitterroot ecosystem in east-central 
Idaho and adjacent areas of Montana, one of six grizzly recovery areas 
identified in the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. We evaluated potential 
effects of this final rule in the ``Final Environmental Impact 
Statement on Grizzly Bear Recovery in the Bitterroot Ecosystem.'' This 
grizzly bear reintroduction does not conflict with existing or 
anticipated Federal agency actions or traditional public uses of 
wilderness areas or surrounding lands.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective December 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The complete file for this final rule is available for 
inspection, by appointment during normal business hours, at U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, University Hall, Room 309, University of Montana, 
Missoula, Montana 59812.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Christopher Servheen, Grizzly Bear 
Recovery Coordinator, at the above address, or telephone (406) 243-
4903.