BLM Upholds Decision to Revoke American Prairie's Bison Grazing Leases
The proposal would reverse a 2022 permit decision and could affect other tribal bison herds, opponents said.
- The Bureau of Land Management issued a final decision yesterday to rescind grazing permits for seven allotments in Phillips County, Montana, held by conservation group American Prairie, requiring bison removal by September 30, 2026.
- BLM officials cited the Taylor Grazing Act, arguing it authorizes permits only for domestic livestock managed for "production-oriented purposes." The agency concluded American Prairie manages its bison primarily for conservation and ecological restoration, not commercial production.
- American Prairie Landscape Stewardship Director Scott Heiderbrink disputed the characterization, stating, "We are producing a lot of bison on the landscape." The organization has harvested or shipped 48% of the 2,100 bison raised in the past 20 years.
- Conservation groups and the Coalition of Large Tribes criticized the decision, warning it threatens tribal buffalo restoration efforts. American Prairie promised to pursue "all legal actions available," while Governor Greg Gianforte praised the permit cancellation.
- The BLM clarified that this decision applies only to these seven allotments and does not affect other permit holders or tribal bison herds. The National Park Service maintains sole authority to manage bison within Yellowstone National Park.
13 Articles
13 Articles
BLM upholds decision to ban American Prairie bison from federal leases
The BLM's acting director has upheld the overturning the Montana field office’s ruling which had approved American Prairie’s request to graze bison on seven federal leases in northeastern Montana.
BLM revokes American Prairie bison grazing permits for Phillips County
For more than 20 years, American Prairie land in northcentral Montana has been a home where bison roam. The organization currently manages about 940 bison across two properties totaling about 50,000 acres within its 600,000-acre footprint in southern Phillips County.Since July 2022, the animals have had access to thousands of acres of federal Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments on American Prairie's Sun Prairie and White Rock units perm…
BLM revokes American Prairie bison grazing permits
For more than 20 years, American Prairie land in northcentral Montana has been a home where bison roam. The organization currently manages about 940 bison across two properties totaling about 50,000 acres within its 600,000-acre footprint in southern Phillips County.Since July 2022, the animals have had access to thousands of acres of federal Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments on American Prairie's Sun Prairie and White Rock units perm…
BLM revokes American Prairie bison grazing permits in Montana
For more than 20 years, American Prairie land in northcentral Montana has been a home where bison roam. The organization currently manages about 940 bison across two properties totaling about 50,000 acres within its 600,000-acre footprint in southern Phillips County.Since July 2022, the animals have had access to thousands of acres of federal Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments on American Prairie's Sun Prairie and White Rock units perm…
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