Conservation groups appeal decision ending Montana bison grazing leases

American Prairie and several conservation organizations have appealed a federal decision to terminate bison grazing permits on Bureau of Land Management lands in Montana, according to reporting from the Daily Montanan. The appeals challenge a May decision by the BLM to cancel seven grazing permits held by American Prairie and require the removal of its bison herds from federal land by September.

According to the Daily Montanan reporting, American Prairie argues the decision could affect tribal food sovereignty programs that receive bison from its herd. The organization states it has provided 645 bison to entities in eight states and Washington, D.C., including nine tribal nations. The Coalition of Large Tribes, representing more than 50 tribes, previously protested the proposed decision, arguing the agency's interpretation of livestock eligibility could make it difficult for tribal governments and tribal citizens to obtain BLM grazing leases for bison herds. American Prairie also suspended its annual bison harvest program, which would have offered 17 public hunting permits this year.