JACKSON, Wyo. — On Monday, March 17, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published a notice in the Federal Register pushing back the deadline for public comment on federal protection for grizzly bears until May 16.

The original deadline for feedback was March 17.

Governor Mark Gordon’s Office originally filed a petition to remove grizzly bear “threatened” status in January 2022, after the GYE population was determined to be recovered in the region. U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson then ordered federal wildlife officials to decide whether grizzly bear populations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) should be delisted from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in December 2024.

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the USFWS proposed a new 4(d) Rule to clarify the geographic area where grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are subject to protection under the ESA; this ruling also effectively denied Wyoming and Montana petitions to remove ESA protections from grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and GYE.

According to the USFWS, the extension of the public comment period is “to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule.” Comments already submitted on the proposed rule do not need to be resubmitted.

Those interested in submitting a comment can do so electronically by searching FWS–R6–ES–2024–0186 or by hard copy to Attn: FWS–R6–ES–2024–0186, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia 22041–3803.

The USFWS notes that those who submit information via website will have their entire submission, including personal identifying information, posted online. Those submitting via hard copy can request at the top of the document that the USFWS withhold personal identifying information from public review; however, the USFWS stresses that withholding the information is not guaranteed.

According to the public comment page, more than 48,000 comments have already been submitted.

River Stingray is a news reporter with a passion for wildlife, history and local lenses. She holds a Master's degree in environmental archaeology from the University of Cambridge and is also a published poet, dog mom and outdoor enthusiast.