BNSF Railway Secures Federal Approval for Grizzly Bear Conservation Plan

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service approved BNSF Railway’s conservation plan for grizzly bears in Montana. In exchange, the company secured a permit allowing limited bear fatalities over seven years. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

BNSF Railway’s Investment in Grizzly Bear Conservation

BNSF Railway’s Habitat Conservation Plan allocates $2.9M to mitigate train-related bear fatalities. The initiative includes hiring wildlife technicians, installing monitoring equipment, and eliminating food sources like spilled grain.

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Over the last 15 years, more than 60 bears have died from train collisions in Montana. This agreement aims to reduce bear deaths while ensuring environmental protection measures remain effective.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will oversee the conservation funds. BNSF Railway’s collaboration represents a proactive approach to balancing industrial operations with wildlife preservation.

How BNSF Railway Plans to Reduce Bear Fatalities?

Funding will primarily support efforts in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. This region includes Glacier National Park, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and two national forests.

Railroads have operated in this area since 1892, making it a high-risk zone for wildlife. Previous initiatives helped minimize bear-train conflicts, but fatalities continued to occur.

In the 1980s, Burlington Northern launched environmental protection measures to prevent bear deaths. Rapid cleanup of spilled grain became a key strategy to deter bears from railway tracks.

A significant derailment in 2023 near Essex spilled hundreds of tons of grain. Swift cleanup efforts ensured no bear fatalities at the site, highlighting the importance of response measures.

BNSF Railway requested incidental take permits in 2004, 2020, and 2023. The current permit allows a maximum of 19 bear fatalities, including nine females, over seven years.

The permit applies to a 206-mile stretch between Shelby and Brimstone. Conservation groups acknowledge progress but urge additional safety measures to further reduce risks.

Beyond funding, BNSF Railway will promote education on living safely in bear habitats. The company aims to enhance public awareness through events and outreach programs.

BNSF Vice President John Lovenburg praised the collaboration between federal, tribal, and state agencies. He emphasized the railway’s commitment to responsible environmental practices.

Environmental groups cautiously welcomed the plan but criticized the lack of speed reductions. They argue that lowering train speeds could further reduce bear fatalities along tracks.

Train speeds in the region range from 25 to 79 miles per hour. While some believe speed reductions would help, BNSF Railway found no clear evidence linking speed to fatalities.

The conservation plan dismissed speed limits due to insufficient supporting data. Officials noted that bear deaths have also occurred in rail yards where speeds are just 10 mph.

Additionally, speed reductions could negatively impact fuel efficiency and railway operations. BNSF Railway insists that alternative conservation measures will be more effective.

This agreement marks a major step toward balancing industrial growth and wildlife conservation. Both parties hope to reduce bear-train conflicts while maintaining railway efficiency.

Source: montanafreepress.org

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