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Gianforte, Montana Sue Yellowstone National Park Over Bison Management Plan

A long-standing conflict between Montana state officials and Yellowstone National Park came to a head on Tuesday, with Montana filing a federal lawsuit over the park’s bison management plan. The state’s legal action accuses Yellowstone officials of disregarding previous agreements and scientific guidelines, resulting in a decision that could have major implications for both wildlife management and the cattle industry in Montana.

The Dispute at the Heart of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Billings, Montana, argues that Yellowstone National Park has intentionally excluded the state from management plans concerning the park’s bison population. Montana officials contend that the park is inflating the bison numbers without proper consideration for public health risks, particularly the disease brucellosis, which could affect the state’s cattle industry.

The dispute centers around the park’s recent changes to its environmental impact statement, which were implemented in 2024. Montana alleges that the new rules allow bison populations to increase beyond the previously agreed-upon target of 3,000 animals. The lawsuit further claims that these new guidelines also eliminate the requirement for the vaccination of bison against brucellosis, a move that Montana believes could harm its cattle industry.

Tensions Between the State and Yellowstone National Park

The conflict isn’t a new one. It follows years of disagreements between state officials, particularly under the leadership of Governor Greg Gianforte, and federal authorities overseeing the park. The heart of the issue lies in what happens when bison, which are managed within the park, leave its boundaries and roam into Montana. The bison are often subject to hunting when they cross over into the state, which has sparked public outcry from animal rights advocates. Many of these advocates argue that hunting bison on the Montana side of the park is excessive and unjust.

Bison Yellowstone National Park

In addition, the lawsuit highlights a key historical agreement, established in 2000, which stipulated that the bison population in Yellowstone should remain below 3,000 animals. This agreement also included a commitment from the park to vaccinate the bison against brucellosis, a disease that can be transmitted to livestock and cause significant economic loss. Montana state officials claim that Yellowstone’s recent actions undermine these longstanding commitments and could lead to harmful consequences for the state’s livestock industry.

The Broader Debate: Protecting Cattle vs. Protecting Bison

At the core of the legal action is a fundamental clash between the protection of cattle interests and the conservation of bison, which are considered a national symbol and are listed as a protected species. Yellowstone National Park is home to one of the last wild bison herds in the U.S., and many environmentalists view them as a crucial part of the country’s natural heritage.

However, the ranching industry in Montana has long expressed concern that bison, due to their proximity to cattle populations, pose a threat to the state’s brucellosis-free status. The disease, if transmitted from bison to cattle, could jeopardize Montana’s ability to export cattle to other states or countries, potentially costing the industry millions of dollars.

State officials argue that allowing the bison population to grow unchecked could lead to increased risk of disease transmission, which would directly impact their ability to maintain the brucellosis-free status of their cattle. Additionally, Montana claims that the expansion of tolerance zones, areas where bison are allowed to roam, was intended to be a spatial increase, not an increase in bison numbers. This legal interpretation disputes Yellowstone’s decision to let the population grow beyond the agreed limits.

The Legal Path Ahead

As the lawsuit unfolds, the legal battle will likely involve discussions not only about wildlife management but also about the broader roles of state and federal authorities in managing natural resources. For Montana, the case is an essential step in asserting its rights to protect its agriculture industry, while for Yellowstone, it will be a test of how much flexibility the park has in managing its wildlife without compromising conservation goals.

The lawsuit also raises important questions about the future of bison in the wild, as advocates for bison conservation will continue to monitor the case closely. Environmental groups have already expressed concern that Montana’s lawsuit could lead to less protection for the bison population, making it even harder to preserve the species in its natural habitat.

While the case progresses, it will undoubtedly remain a point of contention between state and federal officials, with the stakes for both the bison and Montana’s cattle industry growing higher with each passing day.

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