Yakima County highlights extensive comments urging change to grizzly rule, calls for ESA reform

Commissioner McKinney presented a detailed, citation-heavy summary of Yakima County’s comments on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s revised grizzly bear 4(d) rule and distinct population segment and said the county joins other jurisdictions in urging changes to federal endangered-species policy.

The submission, McKinney said, is “not simply a letter” but an extensive document that cites numerous studies and legal arguments. He told fellow commissioners the document argues the Fish and Wildlife Service faced a consent decree and that “the number 1 recommendation was actually to delist the Grizzlies, but rather the Biden administration determined that they were going to pursue reintroduction rather than delisting, even when they met the marks for delisting.” The submission also urges Congress to amend the Endangered Species Act.

Commissioner Lindy and Commissioner Curtis each praised the document’s depth. Lindy described it as an “absolutely extensive document” with “extensive citations of studies.” Curtis said the document presented evidence “not just an appeal to emotion, but it’s an appeal to logic and balance and economics.”

McKinney said the county was “1 of the lead counties on putting forth such substantive comments with citations” and expressed pride in the submission. He emphasized that the document critiques federal choices that favored reintroduction over delisting and recommends statutory amendment to the Endangered Species Act.

The presentation was informational; no formal board action was recorded during the meeting on this item.