Letters and Statements

IBA holds a recognized position in the world conservation arena and Council frequently receives requests from members and the public to address policy issues related to bear management, conservation, and research. As a professional scientific organization, IBA must maintain scientific objectivity when agreeing to address a policy issue or develop a position statement. IBA Council established Policy Guidance based on six criteria to determine whether IBA involvement in policy issues is appropriate. If you are considering a request for a position or policy statement from IBA, please first read our Policy Guidance document answering the six points of criteria required for a position statement or letter and contact the IBA President or Director of Operations and Programs with details of your request. IBA Council is all-volunteer and position statements often require thorough research and recruitment of expert consult on a specific topic therefore, we ask consideration is given to the amount of time required to produce these important statements. We understand that each request is different and will assess individually but suggest a minimum of 30 days following the request.

Letter of support to reinstate the 2001 National Roadless Rule for the Tongass National Forest by reversing the subpart E 2020 Tongass Exemption. To view the proposed rule and associated documents click here. And, to view IBA’s original comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Alternatives to a Proposed Alaska Roadless Rule, click here.

Comment letter on Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Polar Bears in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 6 January 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Advisory Resources for Handling Bears

Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Alternatives to a Proposed Alaska Roadless Rule, USA. December 17th, 2019. To view the proposed rule and associated documents, click here

Comments on Draft Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/EIS Impact Statement, North Cascades Ecosystem, Washington, USA. October 23rd, 2019. To access the Draft Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (January 2017), click here. 

Comments to United States Army Corp of Engineers on Pebble Project (Pebble copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry deposit as an open-pit mine) Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Alaska, USA. June 2019.

Use of radio-collars in bear research, management and conservation: Joint position statement by the International Association for Bear Research and Management and the IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group, April 2019.

Hunting as a Tool in Management of American Black Bear Populations, April 2017

IBA Comments on Grizzly Bear Delisting, May 2016

IBA Comments on GYE Delisting, Cover Letter May 2016

IBA/BSG Joint Letter to European Commission on Impenetrable Fences_January 2016

IBA Letter to Mongolian Government Regarding Strategies for Conservation of the Gobi Bear (Mazaalai) 2015

Response to IBA Letter Regarding Gobi Bear Conservation from the Mongolian Government_2015

IBA Letter to Support COMPETES Act 2015

Position Statement Regarding Bear Hunting in the European Union 2013

The Wildlife Society Position Statement on Brown Bear Management 2009

Bear Protection Act Testimony 2008

McNeil River Hunting Statement 2007

Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Delisting Statement 2006

Gobi Bear Recovery Plan 2004

Alaska Board of Game Letter