Study examines putting wild bison in Montana

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a draft statewide environmental impact statement on bison conservation and management.

Bison are designated as a wildlife species in need of management and a species in need of disease control in Montana. The draft statewide bison conservation and management study considers bison restoration in Montana where animals could be managed as a native species.

While no specific sites are examined in the state’s study, the draft offers four alternatives. Three alternatives outlined in the study consider restoration of a publicly managed bison herd on private and/or public lands of willing landowners; tribal lands and a large landscape with minimal livestock conflicts.

Potential impacts are evaluated for each alternative but in lieu of site-specific areas, the draft study displays case studies from Montana, Utah, Alaska and Canada to illustrate scenarios on bison management.

General guidelines are provided to assist in the selection of potential project sites, choosing the source of bison for the project, and for management and program implementation. For instance, the guidelines assume that restored bison would be free of disease and cattle genes, and that containment and management plans would be mandatory. The plan outlines full funding would be secured for at least a five-year test period, and local community involvement would be required.

Selection of any alternative would require further analysis through a site-specific environmental assessment, the study said.

For information visit fwp.mt.gov.

Click on Bison EIS. The draft EIS will be available for 90 days of public comment through 5 p.m. on Sept. 11. Comments can be mailed to: Bison Conservation and Management EIS; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59620-0701.

A series of public hearings will be scheduled later this summer.