BNSF sued over lack of plan to reduce grizzly deaths
This undated file photo provided by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks shows a sow grizzly bear spotted near Camas, in northwestern Montana. Two wildlife conservation groups have filed a lawsuit on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 against BNSF Railway over delays in finalizing a plan to reduce the number of federally protected grizzly bears that are killed by trains in northwestern Montana and northern Idaho.
(Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks via AP, File)
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Two wildlife conservation groups have filed a lawsuit against BNSF Railway over delays in finalizing a plan to reduce the number of federally protected grizzly bears that are killed by trains in northwestern Montana and Northern Idaho.
WildEarth Guardians and the Western Environmental Law Center filed the lawsuit in federal court in Missoula on Thursday arguing BNSF and other railroads that use their tracks, including Amtrak, have been killing grizzly bears without an incidental take permit for decades. Such permits, required under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, allow a certain number of protected animals to be killed in exchange for efforts by a company to try to reduce the deaths.
BNSF Railway says that even though it doesn't have a permit, it is taking measures to prevent grizzly bear deaths.
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