Contact: Ron Aasheim, 406-444-4038, or visit the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov
FWP TO BEGIN BISON MANAGEMENT PLAN DISCUSSIONS IN MAY
Montana
Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced today that it will host a series
of public meetings this spring as a first step toward developing a
long-term bison conservation and management plan for the state. The plan
will be developed through a programmatic environmental impact
statement, which will address issues associated with bison and options
for their long-term management as a Montana wildlife species.
The
programmatic EIS, which will take about three years to complete, will
examine an array of issues and possible alternatives—including no
action—and each alternative’s potential beneficial and adverse
environmental, social, and economic impact.
FWP
will begin a formal public “scoping” process as required under the
Montana Environmental Policy Act. Public scoping is aimed at identifying
issues, impacts, public concerns, and conservation challenges and
opportunities. The comments will assist FWP in further identifying
issues and developing possible alternatives.
Some issues already identified include: (1) the risk of bison spreading
disease to domestic livestock, (2) competition between bison and other
wildlife, (3) competition between bison and livestock for rangeland, (4)
damage to fencing, (5) public safety, and (6) the legal classification
and status of bison in Montana.
Eight
scoping meetings are scheduled for May. The sessions will be held from
6-9 p.m., with the first hour dedicated to informal discussions and the
remainder of the evening set for recording scoping comments. Here are
the meeting dates and locations:
- May 14 Missoula Holiday Inn Downtown – 200 S. Pattee St.
- May 15 Kalispell Red Lion Hotel – 20 N. Main St.
- May 16 Glasgow Cottonwood Inn – 45 1st Ave NE
- May 17 Helena Montana Wild Center – 2668 Broadwater Ave.
- May 21 Billings Holiday Inn Grand MT Convention Center – 5500
Midland Rd.
- May 22 Miles City BLM conference room, BLM center – 111
Garryowen Rd.
- May 23 Great Falls Townhouse Inn – 1411 10th Ave. S.
- May 24 Bozeman Holiday Inn on Baxter – 5 Baxter Lane
Last
year, in anticipation of a programmatic EIS proposal, FWP prepared a
summary of bison history and activities in the West that offers
information related to the possible restoration of bison in Montana. The
“Bison Background Document” presents information on the bison's genetic
and disease history, management concerns and a brief synopsis of
different bison management philosophies among an array of private groups
and organizations. The document is available online at fwp.mt.gov. Under 'For Fish & Wildlife Information' choose "Bison Background." The document may also be obtained on CD or other formats by calling Margaret Morelli at 406-994-6780 or via email at MMorelli@mt.gov.
-fwp-
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