Cuffe's work at Legislature aids ag producers

Federal and state wildlife officials have indicated that the federal government will likely seek to delist from the Endangered Species Act grizzly bear populations around Yellowstone Park in 2015 and around the Northern Continental Divide by 2016.  

This is great news in light of the fact that grizzly bears in Montana have been federally managed under the auspices of the Federal Endangered Species Act since 1975.  

After 40 years, it is time for management of this species to be turned over to Montana, and it is time to end the endless lawsuits filed by self-styled environmental groups to prevent that delisting from occurring.

While all Montanans can celebrate the success of the grizzly bear recovery efforts, there is a reality that comes along with the grizzly bear population growth.  That reality is that the state will need to be prepared to immediately assume management of the species.  One Montana legislator is working overtime to ensure that Montana is ready for that eventuality.  

During the 2013 Montana legislative session, state Rep. Mike Cuffe of Eureka introduced and passed legislation to allow the Montana to compensate Montanans for livestock losses that occur as a result of a grizzly bear kill.

Prior to Cuffe’s bill, a livestock owner received no compensation for a verified grizzly loss from either the state or the federal government, despite public ownership of these animals.

Since that time, Montana’s livestock producers, including livestock producers located right here in northwest Montana, have been reimbursed to the tune of almost $34,000 for losses resulting from grizzly bear depredations.  

This program is good public policy because it recognizes that livestock producers alone should not have to bear the financial burden associated with grizzly bear recovery efforts.

In addition, during the 2013 legislative session, Cuffe was able to secure $250,000 to implement what is widely considered to be a missing piece of grizzly bear management.  That piece was the need to prevent livestock-grizzly bear conflicts in the first instance.  

Though Gov. Steve Bullock inexplicably vetoed that funding source, everyone can agree that the best grizzly bear management practices are those that prevent bears from getting into trouble with either livestock or humans in the first instance.

Montana’s sheep industry recognizes and applauds Cuffe for his proactive work on the grizzly bear management issue. We also thank him for his foresight in implementing programs that will help the grizzly bear delisting effort, which, in turn, will help both Montana’s agriculture producers and other natural resources industries operate without overzealous government interference.  

- Greg Wichman is president of the Montana Wool Growers Association