Zinke Challenges BLM, DOI on Bison

During two separate House Natural Resources Committee hearings recently, Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze admitted to Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke that they knew nothing about the potential change-in-use permit for free-range bison that could impact up to three million acres in Montana. Director Kornze thanked Zinke for “educating” him on the issue.

On March 1, after Rep. Zinke explained the issue to Secretary Jewell, she claimed knowing nothing about the three-million acre project: “I am not specifically familiar with how bison graze range versus cattle graze range.”

Twenty-four hours after asking Kornze’s boss about the bison, Zinke reiterated his concerns and question to Director Kornze himself. When asked if the BLM intended to perform an Environmental Impact Study, Kornze admitted to Zinke, “Well Congressman, I appreciate the question [...]. I am going to have to get some more materials together and would be happy to come visit with you about this if you would be interested.”

“What’s the point of having these bureaucrats come before Congress if they don’t know a damn thing about multi-million acre projects that they have some jurisdiction over?” said Zinke. “Farmers and ranchers in the CMR and surrounding area could lose their livelihoods. This is a big deal, and for the BLM and DOI to not even put the time in to learn about the issue is a slap in the face to Montana. Heads will roll. This is not acceptable.”

The American Prairie Reserve is targeting three million acres of land in Montana to establish a free-range bison habitat. While buying up private land and acquiring federal land leases, their plan has continually marginalized local ranchers and farmers, according to many area residents. The BLM has come under fire for allegedly displaying preferential treatment to the group. In January, Rep. Zinke hosted a town hall meeting in Malta, where more than 150 area ranchers and residents came out to speak against the APR plan. As a result of the very hushed announcement over the Christmas holidays, Zinke also led 14 of his House colleagues in a letter to strongly urge the BLM to increase opportunities for local input in critical land management decisions.