Northern Ag Network posted on May 15, 2012 07:37
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Northern Ag Network Note: A six-page .pdf flyer accompanied the following press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and contains more detail. CLICK HERE to read it. The following article was originally posted on April 27, 2012.
The following is a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced today that it will host a series of public meetings this spring as a first step toward developing a long-term bison conservation and management plan for the state. The plan will be developed through a programmatic environmental impact statement, which will address issues associated with bison and options for their long-term management as a Montana wildlife species.
The programmatic EIS, which will take about three years to complete, will examine an array of issues and possible alternatives—including no action—and each alternative’s potential beneficial and adverse environmental, social, and economic impact.
FWP will begin a formal public “scoping” process as required under the Montana Environmental Policy Act. Public scoping is aimed at identifying issues, impacts, public concerns, and conservation challenges and opportunities. The comments will assist FWP in further identifying issues and developing possible alternatives.
Some issues already identified include: (1) the risk of bison spreading disease to domestic livestock, (2) competition between bison and other wildlife, (3) competition between bison and livestock for rangeland, (4) damage to fencing, (5) public safety, and (6) the legal classification and status of bison in Montana.
Eight scoping meetings are scheduled for May. The sessions will be held from 6-9 p.m., with the first hour dedicated to informal discussions and the remainder of the evening set for recording scoping comments. Here are the meeting dates and locations:
- May 14 Missoula Holiday Inn Downtown – 200 S. Pattee St.
- May 15 Kalispell Red Lion Hotel – 20 N. Main St.
- May 16 Glasgow Cottonwood Inn – 45 1st Ave NE
- May 17 Helena Montana Wild Center – 2668 Broadwater Ave.
- May 21 Billings Holiday Inn Grand MT Convention Center – 5500 Midland Rd.
- May 22 Miles City BLM conference room, BLM center – 111 Garryowen Rd.
- May 23 Great Falls Townhouse Inn – 1411 10th Ave. S.
- May 24 Bozeman Holiday Inn on Baxter – 5 Baxter Lane
Last year, in anticipation of a programmatic EIS proposal, FWP prepared a summary of bison history and activities in the West that offers information related to the possible restoration of bison in Montana. The “Bison Background Document” presents information on the bison's genetic and disease history, management concerns and a brief synopsis of different bison management philosophies among an array of private groups and organizations. The document is available online at fwp.mt.gov. Under 'For Fish & Wildlife Information' choose "Bison Background." The document may also be obtained on CD or other formats by calling Margaret Morelli at 406-994-6780 or via email at MMorelli@mt.gov.
Source: MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Posted by Haylie Shipp
Sunday, April 29, 2012 11:01 AM
This is a clear indication that FWP is pursuing wild, free roaming bison in Montana. Issues related to the affect these bison will have on private property and the health, safety and welfare of Montana citizens have been identified but FWP continues to push the agenda of bison as wildlife after there containment and testing.
History shows these park introduced bison are carrying a disease deadly to humans as identified by the CDC and yet FWP's own website explains how diseased bison meat obtained after going to slaughter is distributed to native American Indian tribes and food banks. One should wonder the reason for this act.
The BLM, under control of the Department of Interior (DOI), is managed by Robert Abbey. Robert Abbey is a criminal and was the director of the BLM in Nevada when his office was involved in bribes, falsifying government documents, and wrongfully discharging Mr. Earl Dixon for his acts to expose this illegal activity. Director Robert Abbey left the Nevada BLM prior to being investigated for his actions. Two years later, DOI Secretary Ken Salazar, reached out to Robert Abbey to head the BLM under the DOI. Robert Abbey was then in private practice in Las Vegas before accepting this position with the DOI to head the BLM.
It is no secret that the Department of Interior is pushing for a 2.5 million acre National Monument in Northeastern Montana with the discovery of leaked emails and communications between the BLM, DOI and the World Wildlife Fund. This agenda of free roaming bison as wildlife is nothing more than using a diseased animal to remove people from their property and the landscape and to return Northeastern Montana to a time long before human habitation.
A simple connection of the dots and by following the money reveals the agenda of taking private property, removing people from the land, and exerting federal control of more and more Montana land with the help of FWP under the direction of Governor BS.
All should be concerned with these federal and state actions that incrementally destroy the culture and heritage of, not to mention there affect on the largest industry in Montana, agriculture. A new direction will need the leadership of a governor that understands the importance of agriculture, private property rights, and personal freedoms. Lets hope our next governor understands the importance of people!