Submit Comments on Proposed Changes to Grizzly Section 4(d) Rule
Comments must be submitted by midnight Eastern on August 17, 2026!
PLC urges producers in grizzly bear country to submit comments on FWS’s proposed changes to the grizzly bear Section 4(d) rule. All comments must be submitted before midnight Eastern on August 17, 2026!
The proposed rule would maintain ESA protections for grizzly bears while providing additional flexibility for certain activities and management actions.
Importantly, FWS is asking for additional information on how Section 4(d) protections should apply to activities that could otherwise be prohibited as “take” under Section 9 of the ESA. This is an opportunity for producers to tell the agency what flexibility is needed to address grizzly bear conflicts on the ground.
The proposed regulations consider flexibility for:
- Deterring grizzly bears from livestock, property, and other areas where conflicts may occur.
- Management activities intended to increase human safety and reduce human-bear conflicts.
- Incidental take associated with certain agency management activities.
- Defense of life and self-defense.
- Other activities, including regulated trapping, research, handling, salvage, and possession of grizzly bears.
Tell FWS what flexibility you need under the 4(d) rule based on the realities of your operation.
Consider situations you have experienced or could reasonably face involving grizzly bears and livestock, including what actions you need to be able to take to protect livestock, employees, property, and human safety. Be specific about the circumstances you face and what additional flexibility would allow you to respond appropriately.
Interior Launches Review of Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas
Comments must be submitted by midnight Eastern on August 14, 2026!
The Department of the Interior initiated a comprehensive review of recreation (rock climbing) policies and management of wilderness and wilderness study areas (WSAs) across the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The review seeks to develop a consistent approach to recreational rock climbing across wilderness areas, but also seeks information on the current boundaries and management of wilderness areas and WSAs needs to be updated. The review has three separate comment periods for each of the agencies involved:
Fish and Wildlife Service: COMMENT HERE
Bureau of Land Management: COMMENT HERE
National Park Service: COMMENT HERE