The unfortunate reality of a wildfire’s devastation again struck our region last week when, on Tuesday evening, what the Associated Press has labeled a “human-caused” blaze tore through a bison pasture on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The bison within the borders of that fence are the animals that were relocated this spring from Yellowstone National Park.
As the tribe now assesses the damage, Ron Aasheim with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us 7 bison have perished, fences have been damaged, and much of the grass is gone.On Wednesday, May 9, District Court Judge John McKeon in Blaine County ordered a court injunction that would stop Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks from relocating any quarantined bison within the state of Montana such as what happened with the transfer of these animals to the Fort Peck Reservation. The order is to be in effect until a full court case looking into the recent movement of Yellowstone National Park bison to the Fort Peck Reservation can be heard. In May, it was announced through and email from Governor Brian Schweitzer’s office that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks would be appealing that court injunction to the Montana Supreme Court. A court hearing is scheduled for this Friday, September 21, in Chinook.
© Northern Ag Network 2012
Haylie Shipp
