They are hibernating right now, but bears are on the minds of a group of Anchorage Hillside residents who met February 6.

There were three bear mauling incidents the summer of 2008. Two of the incidents took place in Representative Chairsse Millett's district. Rep. Charisse Millett sponsors HB 281.

House bill 281 would put

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public safety before managing for abundance or sustainable yield in Fish and Game wildlife management and allows the Board of Game to authorize the Anchorage Police Department to intervene when there is a bear to human encounter. Rep. Millett says the municipality currently has a memorandum of understanding where they call Fish and Game before any action is taken when it encounters a bear.

While some felt this was a good step in the right direction in addressing bear and human encounters, those opposed to the legislation said Fish and Game is doing a good job in managing bears.

"I don't see any need for it and therefore I am suspicious of it. I am not sure how much it will change how wildlife is managed," said Anchorage resident Linda Donegan who says she has never felt threatened by wildlife living on the hillside for almost 20 years. "It was a very enriching experience. I think that's what makes Anchorage unique and I really have appreciated the opportunity we have had."

Currently, there are two Fish and Game wildlife biologists that make bear management decisions from Girdwood to Eagle River. Instead of managing for sustainable yield, Rep. Millett said she would like to see managing for public safety. "What's that going to mean? Does that give public safety the right to come into the park and shoot animals, what does that mean," asked Donegan, "I feel that at this point, I would rather leave that in the hands of the biologists."

"What that means is different to a lot of people," said Rep. Millett, "I think that's why we need to sit down and have a community conversation about what does that mean. Does that mean thinning the herd? Does that mean taking bears that are born in Anchorage and relocating them to some other areas that they can't back to the municipality? So we have options out there," said Rep. Millett.

There will be a hearing on HB 281 in the Community and Regional Affairs at 8 am Monday, February 11th.

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