HELENA – Governor Steve Bullock today issued a decision to allow for the presence of bison year-round in Montana on the perimeter of Yellowstone National Park.
“An adaptive approach to bison management means we look at how we are doing things, assess our effectiveness, and adapt accordingly,” said Gov. Bullock. “This decision is a very modest expansion of the conditions under which bison may remain outside of the Park, in response to changing science and changing circumstances on the ground. While at the same time I am confident our livestock industry is protected. Further, I remain committed to continuing to pressure the Park Service to reduce the bison population in the Park, and keep those numbers to manageable levels. ”
Governor Bullock’s decision allows bison around Yellowstone Park to be managed more like wildlife. Bison will be permitted to occupy suitable habitat in Montana outside of the park within manageable confines and subject to seasonal limits on numbers.
Future management will focus on resolving actual conflicts on the ground, allowing the state to manage its resources more efficiently, which may save taxpayer dollars. The plan could also increase hunting opportunities for licensed Montana hunters and tribes as the state manages the bison population.
Montana will continue to use the management tools used today to manage bison, applying them on the landscape where bison will be tolerated year-round. Bison will be managed to enforce tolerance zones and address situational conflicts as appropriate.
The decision is an adaptive management adjustment to the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP). The IBMP was established in 2000 in order to coordinate bison management among five agencies: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Montana Department of Livestock (DoL), National Park Service (NPS), United States Forest Service – Custer Gallatin National Forest (CGNF), and United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, InterTribal Buffalo Council, and Nez Perce Tribe became IBMP cooperating agencies in 2009; as such they also participate in any adaptive management adjustment decisions. In keeping with the adaptive management framework set up by the IBMP, the IBMP partner agencies meet several times a year to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of the IBMP management activities and incorporate short and long-term adaptive management adjustments to the IBMP based on prevailing conditions, experience, and new data.
Before the decision is implemented under IBMP procedures, it must be adopted by the IBMP partner agencies under their standard process for adaptive changes to the IBMP.
The full decision is available online here or you can download the document below.
For Additional Information:
Wyoming State Vet Comments on Bison Decision Impacts for Interstate Trade
–Northern Ag's Russell Nemetz spoke with Wyoming State Veterinarian, Jim Logan, who gave his opinion on the decision may impact the interstate movement of Montana livestock.
The Year Round Bison Habitat Stomping Grounds in Montana
-The maps of the newly expanded 400 square miles of year-round bison habitat in Montana
Yellowstone Park: A Bison Puppy Mill?
-Industry reaction continues to pour in after yesterday’s announcement by Montana Governor Steve Bullock to allow for the presence of bison year round in Montana
Montana Governor Allows Bison to Roam Outside Park
-Article in the Billings Gazette by Matthew Brown about the decision
Source: Governor Steve Bullock's Office
