California lawmakers kill grizzly bear reintroduction bill

California lawmakers dismissed a contentious bill on Thursday that potentially permitted grizzly bears to be reintroduced to the region. The Assembly Appropriations Committee disapproved Senate Bill 1305, introduced by Inglewood Democratic Senator Laura Richardson. The proposed legislation would have required the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a roadmap assessing the feasibility and advisability of grizzly bear reintroduction, under specific conditions.

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, the chairperson of the committee, stated that before re-establishing grizzly bears in California, the state must determine how humans can coexist with these predatory animals. She referenced the contentious reintroduction of gray wolves, which led to a decrease in cattle losses, and highlighted the need for the state to address potential conflicts.

Grizzly bears once inhabited most of California, with estimates suggesting up to 10,000 roamed the state before the Gold Rush. They were nearly wiped out during the Gold Rush era, leaving only the smaller black bear as the state's native bear species.

Supporters of the bill included two Native American tribes and numerous environmental groups, who argued that reintroducing the second-largest land predator would rectify an ecological imbalance and aid in restoring California's degraded ecosystem. Conversely, opponents consisted of ranchers, hunting associations, and rural communities, who contended that California's high population density would be unable to sustain another apex predator.

They also expressed concerns over the increasing conflicts with mountain lions, black bears, and wolves, which frequently attack livestock and intrude into rural communities. The bill allocated no funds for the study, but it allowed for future legislation or an independent entity to undertake the task.