bison

A federal judge has ruled American Prairie can keep grazing bison on three federal grazing allotments as a federal lawsuit plays out.

American Prairie, a conservation organization that owns and leases vast swaths of land in eastern Montana, has grazed a herd of more than 900 bison on federal land for more than 20 years.

Montana has had 15 brucellosis cases in livestock animals since 2010, and all 15 of those have been or are suspected to be from elk, according to the state Department of Livestock.

Groups file to appeal federal government’s decision to terminate bison grazing leases on Bureau of Land Management parcels in Montana.

Jason Belcourt writes, "Buffalo restoration is not a threat to Montana. It is a gift. It is a chance to repair the land and honor the first peoples of this place. Montana can choose partnership. Or it can choose conflict."

The Bureau of Land Management issued a final decision late last week canceling a series of permits that allowed bison grazing on federal land by the nonprofit conservation organization American Prairie.

Thomas Baumeister writes, "If a private landowner can graze cattle on public land without risking permit loss, why should a neighbor who grazes bison be punished for doing the same thing."

Versions of the legislation have passed either the House of Representatives or the Senate, but not both, in recent years.

A symbol of the West and vital sustenance for Native Americans who lived on the western Plains, the bison was hunted to near extinction 100 years ago. Today, Colorado lawmakers passed protections for the few wild animals that wander into the state.

Stephany Seay writes, "Gianforte’s lawsuit doesn’t represent Montanans, but rather Montana livestock interests. The vast majority of Montanans want wild, migratory buffalo restored in our state."