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| MONDAY August 28, 2000 Vol 4, # 54 |
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| MONDAY August 28, 2000 Vol 4, # 54 |
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| Site Search | Support Yellowstone! Discussion Free Internet, Email, More Email Newsletter | |
YELLOWSTONE ROAD
REPORT PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-
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 PROTECTING YELLOWSTONEby Bruce Gourley Yellowstone is a national treasure which is owned by the American public. Protecting Yellowstone is the responsibility of the American public. This weekly feature will help identify and explore the issues which are crucial to the ongoing, healthy existence of the "Crown Jewel" of America's National Park system. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Last week I noted that the National Park Service would be releasing a Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding bison management. Yellowstone's bison continue to be threatened by the overzealous Montana Department of Livestock which insists upon the right to kill Yellowstone's bison which leave Park boundaries in the winter in search for forage. The pretense of such wanton destruction is the fact the Yellowstone's bison sometimes carry the disease brucellosis, which the DOL fears could harm domestic cattle, despite no evidence that such is the case. The Montana DOL has refused to back off their policies despite the fact that they now stand alone as the one government agency who insists upon killing Montana's bison. In the face of this ongoing bison crisis, the National Park Service released its bison management EIS, which is partly contained below: The final environmental impact statement examines eight alternative means of minimizing the risk of transmitting the disease brucellosis from bison to domestic cattle on public and private lands adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. These alternatives each include a full range of management techniques, although they focus on one or two in particular. For instance, alternative 3 manages the bison herd primarily through hunting but includes provisions for quarantine. Alternative 5 proposes an extensive capture, test, and slaughter of bison that test positive for brucellosis. Alternative 6 is similar to alternative 5 but requires 10 years of vaccination before the test and slaughter phase begins. Alternative 1 is the no-action alternative. It continues the present plan of capture and slaughter of all bison crossing the north end and most bison crossing the west boundary of the park. Alternative 4 is similar to alternative 1, but would add quarantine, so that bison testing negative for brucellosis would not be slaughtered. Alternative 2 centers on changes in cattle operations and allows bison to range over the largest portion of their historic range. Alternative 7, the agencies’ preferred alternative identified in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, focuses on maintaining the bison population below about 2,500 animals to minimize migration into Montana. Alternatives 2, 3, 7, and the modified preferred alternative also include a framework for considering the use of lands acquired from willing sellers as winter range and for other bison management activities. Decisions to implement management actions on acquired lands will be or have already been supported with additional National Environmental Policy Act and/or Montana Environmental Policy Act analyses. Implementing the modified preferred
alternative would result in no moderate or major adverse impacts compared to the no-action
alternative (alternative 1). Both the long-term bison population size and seroprevalence
would be very similar to alternative 1. However, unlike alternative 1, bison would be
allowed into To summarize impacts from the other seven alternatives analyzed, implementation of alternative 7 would result in adverse impacts on the social values of some people, groups, or tribes, a few ranchers using public allotments on the Gallatin National Forest should those allotments be closed, wildlife species (predators and scavengers), the cultural importance of the herd to some tribes and visitors, and viewing opportunities for those seeking to view bison. Other alternatives might have these same impacts but could also affect winter recreation (particularly snowmobiling), nonmarket values, livestock operations, public funds (to acquire winter range), the trumpeter swan, bald eagle, lynx, and wolverine, and the historic landscape of the area. Alternatives 2, 3, and 7 would have beneficial impacts to wildlife and benefits associated with the nonmarket values attributed to the use of acquired winter range by bison. Similar nonmarket benefits associated with the reduction of seroprevalence achieved in alternative 5 and phase 2 of alternative 6 (which would not occur during the 15-year life of the plan) are also predicted. Mitigating measures and some monitoring would be needed to avoid impacts on threatened or endangered species in alternatives 5 and 6. The final environmental impact statement will be available for public review a minimum of 30 days prior to issuance of records of decision by the agencies. Comments must be postmarked on or before October 2, 2000. Please send to: Yellowstone National Park (Yellowstone Net provides you opportunity to voice your opinion regarding the various Yellowstone issues to your congresspersons and to editorial sections of magazines and newspapers by clicking here.) |
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan
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IN MEMORY
OF SARA HULPHERS YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (YNET) -- There has been much sadness in the past week over the death of Sara Hulphers, a summer Amfac employee from Washington state. Even as we have offered condolences and prayers for her family, many have written us from around the world to express condolences and prayers also. All of those who love Yellowstone are indeed saddened by Sara's tragic death. In the wake of Sara's death, a reader wrote to make us aware of an website which maintains a virtual memorial for those who die tragic, untimely deaths. Those who wish to express condolences in such a manner may visit "Virtual Condolences" and pen a memorial or tribute to Sara. Finally, the two young men who were also involved in last week's mishap, Tyler Montague and Lance Buchi, both only 18, continue to struggle for their lives, facing years of surgeries if they indeed do survive. We encourage your continued prayers for them and their families. |
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| WILDFIRES UPDATE News Brief YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- There was no significant increase in fire activity over the weekend. All fires are currently in the backcountry. Following is a description of the various fires:
The Plateau Fire, located in a remote area of the southwestern portion of Yellowstone near Boundary Creek, is estimated to be 1,800 acres. This fire, burning towards the northeast, is putting out a visible column of smoke, noticeable to residents of West Yellowstone and central Idaho. This fire is in a remote backcountry location and is not threatening any developed areas. Firefighters are working to protect a backcountry patrol cabin 1-2 miles from the fire. The Glade Fire is located near the southern boundary of Yellowstone in Grand Teton National Park. This fire is currently estimated to be 3,200 acres. Crews are working to suppress this fire and protect structures at the South Entrance and Flagg Ranch. The Moose Fire, located near Moose Creek south of Shoshone Lake, is estimated at 1,200 acres. Previously burned areas from the 1988 Yellowstone fires are helping to naturally keep this fire from significantly spreading. The Boundary Fire is located along the South Boundary of the park near Grassy Lake. This fire is estimated at approximately 170 acres and is burning in an area that was burnt during the 1988 Yellowstone fires. Earlier this week, park staff established plots to monitor how the 1988 Yellowstone fires were affecting the behavior of this fire. The Unlucky Fire, located in the southwest portion of the park in the Bechler area, is now estimated to be approximately 1,900 acres. This fire is mostly burning fuels within its perimeter and is not substantially expanding. |
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| YELLOWSTONE FIRE FACTS by National Park Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- In an average year approximately 15 fires are ignited in Yellowstone by lightning, burning about 4 hectares (10 acres) total. About 83% of naturally ignited fires in Yellowstone never reach more than 0.5 hectare (1.2 acre) in size. About 94% of fires in Yellowstone never burn more than 40 hectares (100 acres). In Yellowstone, on average, fires are detected at 3:03 in the afternoon-- fires burn most vigorously during the heat of the day, causing tall smoke plumes to be seen by fire lookouts or sharp-eyed park visitors. |
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management zones outside the park under certain conditions. In step 3 of the
modified preferred alternative, bison would not be tested or marked before they exit the
park, leading to major benefits to those groups and individuals who regard free-ranging,
wild bison as culturally important, including positive impacts on those seeking to view
bison. Positive impacts from the acquisition and use of about 6,000 acres outside the park
for winter range would benefit ungulates, particularly pronghorn. A reduction in the use
of the Stephens Creek facility during step 3 of the modified preferred alternative would
also benefit wildlife in the vicinity. No adverse effect on any species protected under
the Endangered Species Act is anticipated. Slight benefits to livestock operators from
measures to mitigate the perception of risk, including additional testing of cattle,
possible vaccination of adult cattle, and many other risk management measures at no cost
to livestock operators, are expected. Some reduction in risk to the health of personnel
handling bison in capture facilities is also expected in step 3 of the modified preferred
alternative. Nonmarket benefits associated with the use of acquired winter range north of
the park by bison are also predicted. 
The Stone Fire, located in the
backcountry on the Pitchstone Plateau, is approximately 1 acre. Little activity has been
observed in the past few days and fire managers expect that this fire will naturally burn
itself out.