BLM cancels American Prairie bison grazing permits in Montana
The Bureau of Land Management said the decision applies to a nontribal permittee and does not adjudicate tribal bison grazing rights
The Bureau of Land Management issued a final decision canceling bison grazing permits held by American Prairie on federal land in Montana, according to the Daily Montanan. The decision affects six allotments covering about 63,000 acres where the nonprofit grazed about 900 bison under BLM authorization.
According to the Daily Montanan, BLM said the 1934 Taylor Grazing Act allows permits for livestock grazing and that bison managed for conservation purposes do not meet the agency’s definition of livestock. BLM terminated bison and combined cattle-bison permits for American Prairie and reissued cattle-only permits, with the terminations effective Sept. 30. The agency said the decision applies to “this particular non-tribal permittee” and does not adjudicate tribal bison grazing rights. American Prairie said it plans to appeal.
- 1.Micah Dres. Daily Montanan, .
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