Pre-1850s
Grizzly bears were present in all western United States south to the plateau
area of Mexico. The grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states was between
50,00 and 100,000.
1827—1859
Hudson’s Bay Company records show that 3,788 grizzly bear hides were
shipped from three forts in or near Washington’s North Cascades (3,477 from
Fort Colville, 236 from Fort Nez Perce near Walla Walla, and 75 from
Thompson’s River in British Columbia).
1975
The grizzly bear was listed as a “threatened” species in the lower 48
states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act.
1981
The Washington Department of Game listed the grizzly bear as an
“endangered” species under Washington law.
1983
through 1991
There were 153 reports of grizzly bear sightings.
21 of these reports were confirmed and are considered verified Class 1
grizzly bear sightings.
1983
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) was established with the
goal of recovering the grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states.
1986
through 1991
The North Cascades Grizzly Bear Ecosystem Evaluation was completed by
agency biologists and submitted to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.
The committee concluded that the North Cascades Ecosystem contains
sufficient quality habitat (i.e. food, space, isolation, etc.) to maintain and
recover a viable grizzly bear population.
1991
The North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) was designated a grizzly bear
recovery zone by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The NCE recovery zone is
nearly 10,000 square miles. 90% of the recovery zone is public land (federal or state).
About 68% of the recovery zone has no motorized access.
The Interagency Grizzly
Bear Subcommittee directed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other
federal agencies to begin efforts to recover the grizzly bear in the North
Cascades. The North Cascades Grizzly Bear Subcommittee was formed about
a month later.
1992
The recovery zone boundaries were developed and recommended by an
interagency group working on the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Chapter.
1992
and 1993
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held public informational and scoping
meetings in Seattle, Mount Vernon, Wenatchee, and Winthrop, WA to identify
concerns and familiarize the public with grizzly bear ecology and the recovery
process.
1995
Public informational meetings were held to gather comments on the draft North
Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Chapter.
1996
A survey of 430 Washington residents was conducted by Responsive
Management for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine the
public’s knowledge and attitudes about grizzly bear biology and recovery in
the North Cascades. Survey results showed: 77%
support for recovery (statewide respondents); 73% support for recovery
(western NCE respondents); 64% support for recovery (eastern NCE respondents).
1997
The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan Chapter for the North Cascades Ecosystem
was signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
2002
The North Cascades Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP) begins
in Okanogan County (north-eastern NCE).
2003
The North Cascades Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP) begins
in Skagit and Whatcom Counties (north-western NCE).
2003
GBOP conducts attitude and knowledge
survey of rural Whatcom and Skagit County residents who live in or near to the
recovery ecosystem. The telephone survey contractor reports that 76% of 508
respondents are supportive of recovery (52% strongly supportive). More
info.
