HELENA (AP) - "A judge on Thursday ordered lawyers for the Department of Livestock and three conservation groups into settlement talks to try resolving a year-old dispute over access to the agency's records on bison management. District Judge Thomas Honzel of Helena said negotiations should begin immediately and that both sides should report their progress Friday. He said he would consider appointing a "settlement master" if efforts bog down.

A hearing in the case, scheduled for Thursday, was postponed because Marc Bridges, executive officer for the department, had a family emergency in Billings and could not testify.

The legal battle began 14 months ago when Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers; The Ecology Center Inc.; and Buffalo Field Campaign asked to review and copy department files about management of Yellowstone National Park bison as they wander from the park. The organizations sued, claiming the agency had violated the constitutional right to know by refusing to fully comply with their request. Federal and state efforts to control the animals, many believed to be infected with brucellosis, have been the subject of controversy for years. Bison that leave Yellowstone and can't he hazed back into the park are captured and tested for brucellosis. Those that test positive are slaughtered. The management plan is based on concerns that the animals may spread brucellosis to cattle if allowed to roam outside the park. Brucellosis, a contagious disease widespread in Yellowstone's bison and elk herds, causes cattle to abort and can result in undulant fever in humans.

Brenda Lindlief Hall, attorney for the conservation groups, told Honzel she believes a settlement of the lawsuit is possible. "We are very close," she said.

Bernie Jacobs, department attorney, said any agreement would be subject to approval by the Board of Livestock. He promised the agency would make a "good-faith effort to settle."

Some of the disagreement has centered on the conservation groups' pending federal court suit over some bison management practices. The department has argued that the request for records was a back-door and improper attempt to collect evidence for the organization's case.

Honzel rejected that contention last month, saying there he didn't believe there was "any question" members of the organizations have a right to inspect public documents. "I think the department has an obligation to make its documents open for inspection for whatever reason," the judge said at the time."

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