In Washington State’s northern region, a debate is heating up over the Biden administration’s proposal to bring grizzly bears back into the North Cascades National Park.

This federal proposal has become a hot topic, with a recent meeting drawing over 200 locals, many of whom spoke against the idea.

Representative Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington, stands with the locals in their concerns.

He’s worried about the safety of his community, the people working on farms, and the crops themselves.

During the meeting, he questioned the government’s plan for when the bears, known for their hunting skills, affect the livelihood of the local people.

“What is the agency’s plan for dealing with crop loss and livestock depredation that is inevitable from the introduction of these predators?” he asked, pointing out that the bears are likely to leave the area where they are released.

The plan, which has won applause from environmental groups, proposes to release up to seven grizzly bears into the park every year for five to ten years, with a goal of building a population of around 200 bears.

Some locals don’t think the area is right for grizzlies.

They worry that the bears will not stay in the mountains but will come down to where people live, looking for food.

One person at the meeting made it clear: if the government can’t take responsibility for the consequences of bringing bears in, they shouldn’t do it at all.

The government’s proposal includes three options: two that would bring the bears back and one that would leave things as they are.

People can share their thoughts on these plans until the middle of November.

Hugh Morrison, a regional director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, argues that grizzlies were once a key part of the area and that bringing them back can work without causing problems for locals.

Grizzlies used to roam the North Cascades for thousands of years but hunting and loss of their natural habitat nearly wiped them out.

The last time anyone saw a grizzly bear in the North Cascades was in 1996.

Some residents think there’s no need to bring them back now, criticizing the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

They feel the department doesn’t understand the real issues, especially those affecting farmers and ranchers.

In Washington, grizzly bears are protected by law.

It’s illegal to hurt or kill them, and doing so can lead to big fines or other penalties.

Local officials, like the commissioners of Chelan County near the park, are against bringing the bears back.

They believe it could be dangerous for people living there and could hurt the economy and local way of life.

They say the federal agencies haven’t properly addressed their worries or involved them in the discussions.

The idea to bring grizzly bears back to this area isn’t new; it began during President Obama’s time in office.

However, when local opposition grew, the Trump administration, with David Bernhardt as the Interior Secretary, decided not to go through with it.

Bernhardt said grizzlies were not in danger of extinction and could be managed where they already lived.

But after environmental groups pushed back, the Biden administration took another look at the issue, leading to the current proposal.

This has sparked a serious conversation about how to balance protecting wildlife with the concerns of people living in the areas affected.