Polar Bear Patrols

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 7 intends to award a single source financial assistance agreement as authorized by 505 DM 2.14 (B) to the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management. This notice is not a request for proposals and the Government does not intend to accept proposals. This project involves implementation of a polar bear detection and deterrence program, known as Polar Bear Patrols, in North Slope villages in an effort to reduce human-bear conflicts. The project will: 1) provide public safety in communities visited by polar bears; 2) provide local employment opportunities; 3) support polar bear conservation by providing a program that uses non-lethal means for responding to bear encounters; 4) support polar bear conservation through public education and efforts to reduce bear attractants; and 5) involves Alaska Natives in polar bear co-management, as called for under section 119 of the of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Service⿿s Native American Policy. This also meets the DOI mission of ⿿ensuring sovereignty means something⿝.