This winter marks the fourth year of implementation of the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP). This plan brings together a partnership of three federal and two state agencies with the goals of preserving a viable, wild population of Yellowstone bison; reducing the risk of transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle; maintaining the brucellosis class-free status for the state of Montana, and the protection of private property. The agencies involved in this partnership include the U.S. Department of Interior's National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the state of Montana's Departments of Livestock and Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The IBMP complies with the complex requirements and mandates of federal and state law and is based on the best available scientific information.

The IBMP addresses the management of bison when they leave Yellowstone National Park and reduces the risk of potential brucellosis transmission from wild bison to domestic cattle on private and public lands surrounding the park in the state of Montana. Under the IBMP, National Park Service and state of Montana employees monitor the two main bison exit areas along the northern and western boundaries of the park. As bison approach or leave park boundaries, they are hazed back to appropriate management zones within the park. When hazing is no longer effective, bison may be captured, tested for exposure to brucellosis and sent to slaughter if they test positive. The IBMP also provides for opportunities of up to 100 bison that have been captured and tested negative to remain outside the park in two specific management zones when cattle are not present. Additionally, the IBMP allows for some bison to occupy other areas adjacent to the park without anticipating any capture. Currently the bison population is near 4,200. If the population exceeds 3,000 by late-winter/early-spring, and bison attempting to leave the park at the Stephens Creek or western boundary areas cannot be hazed back into the park, the IBMP provides that the agencies can capture and remove these bison.

The IBMP is based on the principle of adaptive management that recognizes as research findings make new information available, management actions may be adjusted. The agencies are continuing to pursue elements incorporated in the IBMP as future management tools, including:

• Bison vaccination programs. Yellowstone National Park intends to initiate environmental planning for an in-park remote vaccination program for free-ranging bison as directed in the IBMP. Although limited progress has been made in developing a better vaccine, substantial progress has been made in developing remote delivery systems needed to conduct a field vaccination program. The park plans to initiate public scoping and drafting of management alternatives this winter. Likewise, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is conducting the necessary environmental analysis for vaccinating bison calves and non-pregnant yearlings in the greater Yellowstone area.

• A bison hunt. The 2003 Montana Legislature authorized the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission to initiate a bison hunt in Montana for the first time since the hunt was abolished in 1991. The FWP Commission and Montana Board of Livestock recently gave their approval to a process for considering a future bison hunt. FWP will be contracting with a private firm to produce an environmental assessment, and will take public comment on the proposal. Montana could see a limited permit bison hunt as early as fall, 2004.

• A bison quarantine feasibility study. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are exploring the concept of proposing a quarantine feasibility study for Yellowstone bison captured during IBMP management operations. The concept would look at the long-term goal of using test-negative animals for population restoration efforts on other suitable lands outside of the greater Yellowstone area. There are strict state and federal regulations prohibiting the movement or translocation of brucellosis-infected bison. However, under stringent quarantine procedures animals that test negative for the disease could be held for a sufficient period until they qualify as disease-free. The proposal for a quarantine feasibility study is part of the IBMP and would determine whether or not quarantine is a potential management tool.

As interagency partners, we remain committed to working together to implement the IBMP. We recognize the importance of cooperation to eventually eliminate brucellosis from the greater Yellowstone area and maintain a wild bison population.

This piece was submitted by Suzanne Lewis, superintendent of Yellowstone National Park; Marc Bridges, executive officer with the Montana Department of Livestock; Rebecca Heath, supervisor of the Gallatin National Forest; Pat Flowers, Region 3 director for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Jose Diez, veterinary services Western Region director for U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

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