Public disputes over how federal and state public lands, including national parks, preserves, forests and wildlife refuges, are managed and used.
Published coverage on this page: 1 case · 4 statements. Statements are ordered newest first.
The Park Service lifted its ban on bear baiting by sport hunters in Alaska's national preserves. Interior says it restores state wildlife management; animal welfare groups say baited bears endanger visitors, and two plan to sue.
Published
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4 matching statements
Role at the time: Animal welfare advocacy group, in a press release issued jointly with the Center for a Humane Economy
Statement summary
In a release issued with the Center for a Humane Economy, Animal Wellness Action calls the rule reckless, describes bear baiting as a widely discredited practice and says the two groups will sue the Park Service to overturn the rule.
“The organizations announced that they will sue the agency to overturn this reckless rule, which restores the widely discredited practice of bear baiting on 20 million acres of lands managed by the NPS.”
What this label refers to
The reference point is the National Park Service's final rule allowing sport hunters to use bait to hunt bears in Alaska's national preserves, part of its restoration of state-authorized harvest methods there. The group calls the rule reckless and baiting a widely discredited practice, and says it will sue to overturn the rule.
Role at the time: Animal protection nonprofit, in a news release issued with Humane World Action Fund
Response to this claim
Baiting bears with human food teaches them to associate people with food and increases the likelihood of dangerous encounters with visitors to Alaska's public lands.
“The Trump administration today finalized a U.S. National Park Service rule that reverses critical wildlife protections for bears and once again allows the cruel practice of bear baiting on Alaska's national preserves.”
The reference point is the National Park Service's final rule allowing sport hunters to use bait to hunt bears in Alaska's national preserves, part of its restoration of state-authorized harvest methods there. The group calls baiting cruel and the rule a reversal of critical protections, and its president says it is evaluating a court challenge.
Role at the time: Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, in a statement quoted by the Alaska Beacon
Statement summary
Vincent-Lang thanks the Interior Department and the Park Service for the changes and calls the rule a necessary return to the fish and wildlife management framework set by the Alaska Constitution and ANILCA.
Quotation excerpt
“We thank the Department of Interior and the National Park Service for making these and other changes in the rule. The change represents a necessary return to the fish and wildlife management framework established by the Alaska Constitution…”
“We thank the Department of Interior and the National Park Service for making these and other changes in the rule. The change represents a necessary return to the fish and wildlife management framework established by the Alaska Constitution and reaffirmed in ANILCA, which had served Alaska for three decades”
What this label refers to
The reference point is the National Park Service's final rule allowing sport hunters to use bait to hunt bears in Alaska's national preserves, part of its restoration of state-authorized harvest methods there. Vincent-Lang, whose department regulates baiting under state law, welcomes the rule as a necessary return to state-led wildlife management.
Role at the time: U.S. Secretary of the Interior, in the department's announcement of the final rule
Statement summary
In Interior's announcement of the final rule, Burgum says it restores a commonsense framework for Alaska's national parks and preserves, gives Alaskans a stronger voice in decisions about lands and wildlife, and keeps the Park Service's duty to protect park resources.
Quotation excerpt
“This final rule restores that commonsense framework and gives Alaskans a stronger voice in decisions affecting the lands, wildlife and traditions they know best, while ensuring the National Park Service continues to protect park resources…”
“This final rule restores that commonsense framework and gives Alaskans a stronger voice in decisions affecting the lands, wildlife and traditions they know best, while ensuring the National Park Service continues to protect park resources for future generations.”
What this label refers to
The reference point is the National Park Service's final rule allowing sport hunters to use bait to hunt bears in Alaska's national preserves, part of its restoration of state-authorized harvest methods there. Burgum announces the rule and praises it as restoring a commonsense framework that respects the state's role in managing wildlife. His statement speaks to the rule as a whole rather than to baiting specifically.
Doug Vincent-Lang is the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the state agency responsible for managing Alaska's fish and wildlife resources. He serves in the cabinet of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
1 case and 1 statement
Doug Burgum is the U.S. secretary of the interior.
1 case and 1 statement
