The proposal, put forward by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Forest Service, and by the National Park Service, builds upon and further defines the proposals outlined in a similar letter last week.
"This is a very important part of stopping the slaughter of bison in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem," said Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Interior.
Intensive hazing to keep bison in Yellowstone National Park and
adjacent Forest System lands, additional bison winter grazing
range, and the protection of domestic cattle from transmission of
brucellosis remain the principalelements. The potential for
bison quarantine facilities was also discussed.
While the measures are designed to alleviate this winter's acute
situation, certain elements could serve as the basis for a
long-term solution.
The proposal identifies important winter grazing land in the Gallatin National Forest at Horse Butte onto which bison will be allowed. The three agencies have agreed on measures that will permit the bison to winter in this area undisturbed while ensuring that cattle are not exposed to any potential transmission of brucellosis.
"These measures will help get us through the winter and into the spring while protecting cattle from the spread of brucellosis," said Terry L. Medley, administrator of APHIS, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area. "Further, I am optimistic that continued discussions among the involved agencies will lead to agreement and a long-term solution.
"The additional bison winter grazing land will help relieve the difficult situation we are facing this winter," said Mike Dombeck, ForestService chief. "Further, we are committed to discussing such provisions as part of a long-term solution."
In the letter, the three Federal agencies also reiterated their commitment to continue working together and with the States to develop long-term cooperative efforts to address critical issues. These issues include brucellosis elimination in the Yellowstone ecosystem, providing additional suitable bison winter range outside the park, and encompassing the interests of stakeholders, including Native American tribes.
[Ed. note: For more information, contact APHIS Legislative and Public Affairs at phone (202) 720-2511, Forest Service Public Affairs at phone (202) 205-1760, or the National Park Service Office of Public Affairs at phone (202) 482-6843. General information is available on the APHIS website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov:80/vs/nahps/Brucellosis/catlle.htm]
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