MALTA, Mont. (NMB) – On Wednesday, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a proposed decision on a bison grazing proposal involving seven allotments in Phillips County held by American Prairie.
According to a press release:
The Telegraph Creek, Box Elder, Flat Creek, White Rock, French Coulee, Garey Coulee and East Dry Fork allotments – a total of approximately 63,500 acres of BLM-administered lands – currently provide 7,969 animal unit months (AUMs) of permitted use.
The proposed decision would allow bison grazing on six of the seven BLM allotments in AP’s proposal. One common allotment grazed with another livestock operator would remain approved for cattle-only grazing. Seasonal grazing would be permitted on four of the allotments. Year-round grazing would be permitted on three allotments; two of which had been previously authorized for year-round bison grazing. There would be no change in AUMs on any of the allotments. The majority of internal fencing on BLM-administered lands would remain intact.
The BLM has also released an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
The proposed grazing decision, which describes the terms and conditions for each of the seven allotments, is based on existing laws, policies and management plans, and supported by the analysis brought forward in the EA/FONSI.
The proposed grazing decision, and documents associated with the EA and FONSI are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/103543/510.
The release of the proposed grazing decision initiates a 15-day BLM protest period. Certified letters of notification have been sent to qualified interested publics, as defined by federal grazing regulations. More information regarding the protest period can be found within the proposed grazing decision.
Public involvement throughout the NEPA process was critical to developing the EA and FONSI associated with this proposed grazing decision, said Mark Albers, BLM North Central Montana District Manager.
The BLM will continue to keep the public informed of its land-management decisions. Following the proposed grazing decision’s 15-day protest period and managers’ consideration of any substantive protests from qualified interested parties, BLM will issue a final grazing decision, which initiates a 30-day appeal period in accordance with federal grazing regulations. Several State officials, including Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Governor Greg Gianforte, have been critical of the proposal, voicing concerns about cattle being displaced.
Several State officials, including Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Governor Greg Gianforte, have been critical of the proposal, voicing concerns about cattle being displaced.
Information on the proposal from Bureau of Land Management
