Chelan County Commission Opposes Grizzly Bear Relocation Plan

As many as 200 Grizzly Bears could be relocated to the region

by Dennis Rahm

The proposal submitted by the National Park Service to relocate grizzly bears into the North Cascades first surfaced a couple of years ago during a public meeting in Cashmere.

Later, officials from Chelan, Okanogan and Skagit counties — during a meeting with the National Parks Service, Fish and Wildlife and other Federal agencies — expressed a number of what Chelan County Commissioner Doug England calls “very substantial issues with the grizzly relocation plan”.

The proposed plan was slowed with a recent re-opening of a public comment period, but says England, “it’s kind of like a creature from the dead that won’t stay in its grave.”

To read the draft plan and environmental impact statement documents click here.

England says the Chelan County Commission is very much opposed to the plan. He goes on to say it’s important for the public to be aware of what the plan proposes and to have the opportunity to comment.

“It would be a horrendous mistake to put an apex predator in this community” – Commissioner Doug England

Those favoring the proposal claim that only bears that have not been a problem will be relocated. However, England feels the credibility of the entire project is in question.

“These are too magnificent an animal to mix with people. Someone will die – one way or the other” – Commissioner Doug England

The Chelan County Commission is expected to schedule a public meeting on the Grizzly Bear relocation proposal sometime in early September. Comments can be submitted now, or after the September meeting. Final deadline for comment is October 24.

Commissioner England will be meeting with the Interior Department during a trip to Washington D.C. the first week of September and will deliver the message that the Chelan County Commission is not in favor of the introduction of Grizzly Bears into North Central Washington.