Helena, Montana – The state of Montana’s newest move to thwart the idea for increased bison grazing on public lands in north-central Montana is the filing of a court brief by Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office.
The argument in the brief asks the Board of Land Appeals of the U.S. Department of the Interior to halt the BLM’s approval of American Prairie’s proposal to feed bison behind fences on BLM property in Phillips County, south of Malta. It contends that the agency hasn’t sufficiently taken into account the state’s worries about potential harm and the needs of the general public.
On 63,065 acres, American Prairie, a nonprofit organization formerly known as American Prairie Reserve, proposed allowing bison to graze. The BLM’s ruling, which was announced in July, would let bison in six of the seven places the group suggested, including two that are currently designated for the species. Only animals would have access to the seventh place. In August, the state appealed the judgment.
The plan wouldn’t have a significant environmental impact, according to an analysis cited by BLM executives as justification for their move. They also discovered a few possible advantages for vegetation and wildlife habitat.
The state countered that because American Prairie’s plan was concentrated on conservation and wildlife management rather than cattle production, the decision exceeded the BLM’s power. They argued that it is in the public interest to postpone action until the dispute is resolved and that denying a stay would interfere with their ability to manage state trust lands.
By 2025, according to American Prairie, they want to grow their bison herd from about 800 animals to 1,000. They assert that letting bison graze will improve rangeland conditions, water quality, and conditions for animals. The initiative, according to some ranchers and landowners, could have considerable negative economic effects on the livestock sector.
The group originally offered a grazing strategy for bison in 2017. In 2019, they drastically reduced it, claiming they needed more time to address public concerns and show how their grazing system functions. They claim that their grazing strategy complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and that they have worked with Phillips County officials to develop a disease control agreement.
