Grizzlies, old growth deserving of protections
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 2 weeks AGO
We don't always agree with the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, but we concur with a recent piece penned by its executive director, Mike Garrity and believe his point is worth sharing.
In it, he highlights a victory for conservation and underscores why protecting both grizzly bears and old-growth forests remains important for the future of the Inland Northwest.
As Garrity explained, seven years after conservation advocates and area residents challenged the Hanna Flats logging project in North Idaho, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Alliance. The decision represents a step forward for the protection of one of the region's most vulnerable wildlife populations, the Selkirk grizzly bear, as well as the remaining old-growth forests that provide essential habitat and ecological benefits.
The Hanna Flats project would have authorized logging, prescribed burning, and the expansion of motorized access within critical grizzly bear habitat, and with a population that remains small, with only about 50 bears in the Selkirk ecosystem, habitat matters.
Grizzly bears need space. These creatures require large, connected landscapes with minimal human disturbance to find food, raise cubs, and move safely across their range. Increased road access and logging activity can fragment habitat, displace bears and increase the risk of human-caused mortality.
Protecting old-growth forests also matters. These forests are among the most ecologically valuable landscapes in the region, providing habitat for countless species and helping maintain healthy watersheds. Mature forests also contribute to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that we all treasure here in North Idaho.
Again, Garrity outlined it well. The court's decision reinforces the basic principle that public land management agencies must follow environmental laws and ensure that projects receive appropriate review before moving forward. These safeguards help ensure that decisions are transparent, science-based, and take into account long-term impacts.
The ruling is also a testament to the persistence of those who voiced concerns about the potential effects of large-scale logging near their homes, trails, rivers, and streams. Their involvement demonstrates the important role that citizens play in shaping the future of public lands and ensuring that these landscapes continue to support both wildlife and people.
But most important of all, this outcome offers hope for the recovery of the Selkirk grizzly bear population, an endangered species that cannot recover without sufficient habitat.
By preserving key forest landscapes and limiting activities that could further threaten an already vulnerable bear population, this decision will benefit recovery and long-term conservation.
The Hanna Flats ruling is a reminder that protecting grizzly bears and old-growth forests benefits entire ecosystems, safeguards natural heritage, and helps ensure that future generations can experience the wild landscapes that define North Idaho.