One interesting thing to point out is that the sponsor, Mike Phillips, is the executive director of the Turner Endangered Species Fund. Grist did an interview with Mike in 2004.
I don't give public comment at these committees because most of the people on these committees most likely have functional holes in their brain.
Currently the bill is tabled.
Here is a snippet:
Section 2. Section 87-1-216, MCA, is amended to read:
"87-1-216. Wild buffalo or bison as species in need of conservation and management -- policy -- department duties. (1) The legislature finds that significant potential exists for the spread of contagious disease to persons or livestock in Montana and for damage to persons and property by wild buffalo or bison are culturally important, valued native wildlife in need of conservation and management in the state of Montana.
(3) In recognition of the cultural heritage and treaty rights of sovereign tribal nations, the department shall cooperate with tribal governments to pursue opportunities for the conservation and management of wild buffalo or bison.
The only parties that didn't support this bill were:
- Montana Stockgrowers
- Montana Dept. of Livestock
- A Montana women's ranching organization (I don't remember the name)
- International Indian Treaty Council (they came on behalf of BFC too.)
- Salish Kootenai
- InterTribal Bison Cooperative
- Hunters and Anglers Assoc.
- NRDC
- Montana Wildlife Association
- Horse Butte Neighbors of Buffalo
- WWF
- Yellowstone Buffalo Foundation
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