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YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA: The front lines wild
bison advocacy group, Buffalo Field Campaign, announces
support of HB253, the Wild Buffalo Recovery & Conservation
Act of 2009. BFC joins with a diverse group of conservationists,
private property owners, hunters, bison advocates and
others in support of HB253.
The bipartisan bill was introduced by Montana Representative
Mike Phillips, and will be heard by Montana's House
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee in Helena on Thursday,
January 29, at 3:00 pm in room 303 of Montana's state
capitol. A large public turnout is expected.
"HB253 takes a significant step in the right direction,"
said BFC co-founder Mike Mease. "BFC supports the
three critical elements outlined in this bill: 1) Removal
of the Department of Livestock's authority over wild
bison management; 2) Respect for wild bison as a valued
native wildlife species in Montana; and 3) Addressing
concerns of private property owners who welcome wild
bison on their land," continued Mease, who will
attend Thursday's hearing.
The bill also addresses the concerns of private landowners,
such as cattle producers, who may not welcome wild bison
on their property. HB253, however, does not address
year-round habitat for wild bison in Montana, which
Buffalo Field Campaign would like to see included in
the bill. The Horse Butte Peninsula is the ideal place
to start, as the absence of cattle and overwhelming
public support for bison make it a conflict-free area.
"Yellowstone buffalo are wildlife, and they should
be managed by our wildlife professionals. The legislation
also addresses private property concerns, allowing owners
to have buffalo managed if on their property. It's a
win-win and a step in the right direction for wild buffalo
management," said Lisa Upson of Natural Resources
Defense Council.
Currently, the Montana Department of Livestock manages
wild bison that enter Montana, a role authorized under
MCA 81-2-120. Under this law, crafted by Montana's cattle
interests, wild bison are managed as diseased pests
and forbidden to enter the state without being subjected
to harassment or death. HB253 would change that law
by returning bison management to Montana Fish, Wildlife
& Parks.
"It is a serious conflict of interest having the
Department of Livestock in charge of managing wild bison,"
said Mike Bowersox, spokesperson with Buffalo Field
Campaign, "HB253 eliminates the foolishness of
trusting the fox to guard the henhouse."
American buffalo (Bison bison) are native to vast tracts
of North America, including Montana, yet in the U.S.
the last wild population exists only in Yellowstone
and is currently ecologically extinct, absent from most
of its native range. By recognizing buffalo as a valued,
native wildlife species in Montana, the Wild Buffalo
Recovery & Conservation Act begins to address wild
bison restoration needs.
"HB253 will be a boon to Montana's economy,"
said Stephany Seay, a spokeswoman with Buffalo Field
Campaign. "Tourists from around the world come
through Montana's gateway communities into Yellowstone
to get a glimpse of these majestic, prehistoric wonders.
By allowing wild buffalo to gain some respect in Montana,
we are on our way to gaining them some ground. Wild
bison are native to this state and pose an enormous
benefit to the ecological, economic, cultural, and spiritual
integrity of Montana."
Since the Montana Department of Livestock has been in
charge of managing wild bison (1995), 5,390 wild American
bison have been eliminated from the last wild population
in the U.S. Buffalo Field Campaign is the only group
working in the field, every day, to stop the slaughter
of the wild American buffalo. Volunteers defend the
buffalo and their habitat and advocate for their lasting
protection. For more information, video clips and photos
visit http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org
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