Missoula, MT – Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, along with the Montana Department of Livestock and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, has filed a lawsuit challenging the newly adopted bison management plan for Yellowstone National Park (YNP). The lawsuit, filed in late December 2024, seeks to halt the implementation of the plan, which the state claims would undermine its ability to manage bison-related conflicts and fails to provide Montana with adequate input during the planning process.
The National Park Service (NPS) released the new bison management plan in July 2024, following a lengthy environmental review that began in 2022. The plan aims to address updated scientific findings and changing circumstances since the last management plan, which was adopted in 2000. Under the new plan, the Yellowstone bison herd would be managed to maintain a population between 3,500 and 6,000 animals.
However, Montana state officials have expressed significant concerns, particularly regarding the proposed population size. State leaders argue that the bison herd should be managed at a level closer to the 3,000 animals outlined in the previous plan. They contend that a larger herd could lead to environmental damage on Yellowstone’s northern range and pose a greater risk of spreading brucellosis to livestock.
In a press release announcing the lawsuit, Governor Gianforte criticized the NPS for failing to engage in a transparent and meaningful consultation process with Montana. He accused the agency of not providing the state with a fair opportunity to participate in the decision-making process, an allegation that forms a central part of the lawsuit. “NPS has not given us a fair shake and has ignored concerns raised by the State. We will always defend our state from federal overreach,” Gianforte said in the release.
The lawsuit also alleges that the adoption of the new management plan violates several federal laws, asserting that the NPS did not comply with necessary procedural requirements during the review and planning process. According to the plaintiffs, the state was given too little time to review and comment on the proposed options, further exacerbating their concerns.
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the National Park Service, and key NPS officials—including Director Charles Sams and Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly—are named as defendants in the case.
Yellowstone National Park officials have defended the new management plan, emphasizing that it reflects the latest scientific data and is designed to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the bison herd. The plan is also intended to address challenges posed by shifting ecological and population dynamics in the park.
The lawsuit adds to the ongoing tension between state officials and federal authorities over wildlife management in and around Yellowstone National Park. The case is expected to have significant implications for future management practices not only for bison in the park but also for broader state-federal relations regarding wildlife and land management in the region.
