Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hosting a public meeting in Kalispell on May 15 at the Red Lion Inn to discuss bison management. The meeting, planned to begin at 6 p.m., is part of FWP’s development of a long-term bison conservation and management plan for the state.
The bison management plan will be developed through a three-year environmental analysis that addresses issues associated with bison and options for their long-term management as a Montana wildlife species, the agency said.
FWP will begin a formal public “scoping” process as required under the Montana Environmental Policy Act. Public scoping is aimed at identifying issues, impacts, public concerns and conservation challenges and opportunities. The comments will assist FWP in further identifying issues and developing possible alternatives.
Some issues already identified include: the risk of bison spreading disease to domestic livestock; competition between bison and other wildlife; competition between bison and livestock for rangeland; damage to fencing; public safety; and the legal classification and status of bison in Montana.