[REVISION HISTORY]

U.S. grizzly bear reintroduction discussion

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What changed

2026-08-13 21:34 UTC → 2026-08-14 18:43 UTC · added ~~removed~~

On July 22, 2026, California lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 1305, authored by Democratic Senator Laura Richardson. The bill directs the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to create a roadmap assessing the feasibility of reintroducing the extinct California grizzly. While the bill lacks immediate funding, it has received support from over 40 Native American tribes and environmental groups who argue the apex predator could restore ecological balance and wildfire resilience. Opposition remains strong among Republican legislators, ranchers, and hunting organizations. Assemblymember Heather Hadwick stated, “I just don’t think that our California today is ready for a grizzly bear,” citing concerns over drought-prone landscapes and predator conflicts. On July 25, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced a revised proposal returning grizzly management authority to western states that have met recovery benchmarks. By July 27, SB 1305 moved to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. A 2025 tribal-commissioned study identified the Klamath Mountains, Trinity Alps, southern Sierra Nevada, and parts of the Transverse ranges as suitable habitats, estimating a capacity for 424 to 1,713 bears. On August 13, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee rejected Senate Bill ~~1305. While supporters maintained that~~ 1305, also known as the ~~measure would provide~~ California Grizzly Restoration Act. The decision occurred during a ~~framework for ecosystem restoration, opponents—including~~ rapid-fire process with no public testimony or formal discussion held before the announcement. Because the bill failed to pass the committee, it cannot move to a full vote during the current legislative session. Opponents—including ranchers and rural community representatives—successfully argued that the bill posed risks to public safety and livestock protection, noting existing conflicts with wolves, mountain lions, and black bears. While the grizzly has been extinct in the state since the early 1920s, California currently manages a robust population of 30,000 to 40,000 black bears through regulated hunting and quotas.

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