Tentative Bison Deal Struck in Montana - AP

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Tentative Bison Deal Struck in Montana

Saturday July 28, 2007 4:31 AM

By MATTHEW BROWN

Associated Press Writer

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Montana officials have reached a
tentative deal allowing some bison to roam outside of
Yellowstone National Park without fear of slaughter, a
potential breakthrough in a decade-long attempt to end
the killing of thousands of bison for disease prevention.

The deal reached this week between the Church Universal
and Triumphant, which owns the Royal Teton Ranch north
of Yellowstone, and the Montana Department of Fish,
Wildlife and Parks would allow bison to move through the
ranch during winter to reach about 2,000 acres in the
Gallatin National Forest.

Yet to be decided, however, is how much the church will
be paid for grazing rights. U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, a
New York Democrat who sits on the National Parks
subcommittee, said this week he will press the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to contribute $1.5 million
toward the deal.

-snip-

Since 1998, the federal government has paid $13 million
for conservation easements on the ranch but has never
resolved grazing rights. The issue is considered key to
preventing contact between livestock and bison, which
can carry the disease brucellosis. If the disease spreads
to livestock, it can cause pregnant cows to abort their
calves and have financial consequences for the cattle
industry.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6811394,00.html

[frogcycle]

1. Funny - I've never seen a bison be the least bit tentative