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Baker County adopts resolution opposing reintroduction of grizzly bears to Northeast Oregon
Summary
The Board adopted a resolution opposing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reintroduction of grizzly bears to the region, citing potential impacts on livestock, recreation and forest management. The resolution notes a 500‑square‑mile grizzly range cited by federal documents and urges state and federal consideration of local impacts.
Baker County commissioners voted on Oct. 1 to adopt Resolution No. 2025‑1013, formally opposing any reintroduction of grizzly bears into the Northeast Oregon region and within a 500‑square‑mile radius that would place Baker County within the species’ potential range.
The resolution cites the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery planning history and notes the service’s April 2024 North Cascades reintroduction action and a planned national draft reintroduction plan. The county resolution says Oregon currently lacks a grizzly‑bear management plan and states concerns that a reintroduction would increase predation risk to livestock, complicate forest management and fuels‑reduction work, and affect outdoor recreation and local economic activity. The board adopted the resolution after brief discussion; the motion passed with two ayes and one abstention.
Why it matters: The resolution expresses local opposition and requests that state and federal officials consider local economic, public‑safety and land‑management impacts before pursuing reintroduction in nearby states whose grizzly range could overlap county lands.
What the county will do next: The resolution will be transmitted to state and federal officials and incorporated into county comments on proposed federal plans as they are published.
