Bison Quarantine Open House Planned February 8, 2016

The Yellowstone Association will be hosting an open house regarding the proposed bison quarantine program.

We previously reported the National Park Service had prepared an Environmental Assessment weighing three options for bison quarantine, with the following aim: “to establish or augment new conservation and cultural herds of plains bison; conserve a viable, wild population of Yellowstone bison; maintain the low risk of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle; reduce the need for shipment of bison to meat processing facilities to limit population growth; and provide cultural and nutritional opportunities for Native Americans. “

Specifically, the EA investigated the following bison quarantine options:

a) No quarantine program.
b) Managing a quarantine program within Yellowstone boundaries.
c) Managing a quarantine program on the Fort Peck Reservation in northeastern Montana (the NPS’ preferred option).

The open house will be held (as mentioned) by the YA at their headquarters February 8, 2016 from six to eight p.m.; there, the public can ask questions and discuss the quarantine program. They can also submit comments in-person. The address is below:

Yellowstone Association Headquarters
308 Park Street
Gardiner, Montana 59030

For those unable to attend the meeting but still want to submit comments should do so via the Planning, Environment and Public Comment site or by mail:

Superintendent
Attn: Bison Quarantine EA
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Comments can also be delivered to the Park’s Administration Building in Mammoth Hot Springs. Comments will not be accepted by fax or e-mail. All comments must be individual; bulk comments will not be accepted by any channel.

The deadline to comment on the bison quarantine EA/program is by midnight Mountain Standard Time, February 15, 2016. After comments are gathered and evaluated, the Regional Director of the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service will issue a final decision.