Residents speak out about possible reintroduction of grizzlies to North Cascades

DARRINGTON, WA. – (KGMI.com) Some area residents are less than wild about the idea of reintroducing grizzly bears to the Cascades.

“I’m from Idaho, northern Idaho. They have plenty of them. And I’ve also lived in Montana. And I’ve met up with them. You don’t want to meet up with one.”

That Darrington resident was among a number who told KOMO News that they do not want the bears back in their woods.

Concerns range from dangers to hikers and hunters, livestock, and even salmon populations.

But Andrew Lavalle with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says encounters would likely be rare.

“Agencies are proposing an initial population of 25 bears over a five-to-ten-year period in an area the size of New Jersey,” said Lavalle.

Grizzlies lived in the Cascades for centuries before they were all hunted.

The agencies say re-introducing them would benefit the entire ecosystem.

They are taking public comment on the plan until November 13th.