I’m Bob Larson. It doesn’t mean Grizzly Bears won’t eventually be introduced to the wilds of Washington state, but citizens who would have to live with them are now going to have their voices heard. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says it’s imperative …

NEWHOUSE … “The most important thing is to have input, to have the citizens of the areas most impacted by the introduction of Grizzly Bears to be heard and taken into consideration before any decisions are made.”

Newhouse says the Department of Interior will take time to evaluate more public input…

NEWHOUSE … “I’ve had commitment by the Department of Interior that they will proceed with at least two more public hearings, public listening sessions to get that feedback, that input from residents of North Central Washington. I don’t believe those have been scheduled yet, but we have been working with the agency to find the proper time and locations to have those listening sessions so that we can get as many people as possible to attend.”

Newhouse says federal agencies must also take sound science into account when making decisions …

NEWHOUSE … “And so we’re moving forward on a couple of different angles at this, but I certainly do not want the Department of Interior to move forward without that important input from the citizens of Central Washington.”

The Washington Farm Bureau, several counties, Washington Cattlemen’s Associations, and other groups oppose the reintroduction of Grizzlies.