Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., who chairs the Congressional Western Caucus, introduced legislation that would block a federal proposal to release grizzly bears in a forest area in his state.
The legislation would force the Department of the Interior to withdraw a proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that opens the door to release the apex predator in the federally-managed North Cascades National Park in northern Washington. The proposal — unveiled in September by the National Park Service (NPS) and Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) — was cheered by left-wing eco groups but criticized by local lawmakers and residents.
“Central Washingtonians have consistently voiced their concerns and opposition over the introduction of grizzly bears into the North Cascades Ecosystem, yet unelected bureaucrats from the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service continue to try to force these predators upon our communities,” Newhouse said in a statement.
“These…