Senator Dahle Requests Constituents’ Opinions on Grizzly Reintroduction

SACRAMENTO — A bill to plan a roadmap to reintroduce grizzly bears to California, SB 1305, is headed for the state Senate Appropriations Committee after approval by the Natural Resources and Water Committee.

The current measure would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to consult with stakeholders and study the feasibility of reintroducing grizzlies, but would not require the bears to be reintroduced or provide funds for that purpose. Leaders of the Tejon and Yurok tribes have testified in support of the bill, while a number of north state law enforcement officials and representatives of farming and ranching groups oppose it. District 1 Senator Megan Dahle and District 1 Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick are also on record opposing the bill.

In an April 14 email to constituents, Senator Dahle acknowledged the existence of a wide range of views on restoring a top predator with deep spiritual significance for native people and historical and symbolic significance for the state, but that could also bring “risks of deadly encounters with people and livestock.” “It’s important to hear what my constituents think,” she said, and invited residents of the First District to share their opinions in a short online survey (https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/SurveysDirect_v2.php?district=SD1&survey=52).

Citizens can also send comments to the bill’s authors through the state legislature portal (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCommentsClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1305) after creating an account.