Celebrating the Grizzly Bear’s Delisting

The delisting of the grizzly has been a long time coming, too long — 15 years too long in fact. I am pleased this day has finally arrived, but it certainly points out that we need to cut through the bureaucratic, legal mess that slows this whole process of recovery. Listing a species without a delisting plan just doesn’t make any sense. If you don’t have a plan, it’s pretty hard to get anywhere. This process must be more efficient.

That is why I introduced the Endangered Species Reform Act in February. My legislation would provide needed reforms to the law by requiring that each listing be supported by sound science and need, and be accompanied by a recovery plan that will lead to delisting.