The Yellowstone
Net Newspaper Monday December 8, 1997 Vol. 1 No. 26 |
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. (NPS) -- Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Michael Finley announced today that, following discussions with the State of Montana, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the U.S. Forest Service, decisions have been made regarding National Park Service (NPS) actions under the Interim Bison Management Plan for the winter of 1997-98. The adjustments remain consistent with the goal of the 1996 interim bison management plan which is to conduct operations to maintain Montana's brucellosis class-free status, while permitting the bison herd within the park to fluctuate in response to natural ecological processes. The overall objective of the adjustments is to reduce the number of bison that are killed as part of interim bison management actions at or outside the Yellowstone National Park boundary and provide for a generally stable bison population at its current level. Yellowstone's current bison population is estimated at approximately 2,200 animals. Several actions, such as monitoring, sample data collection, and hazing would continue as previously described in the interim plan. Whenever it is safe and practical, NPS and State of Montana employees will first haze bison back into the park or specified public lands in order to reduce the need for lethal removal. State of Montana and Yellowstone National Park employees have already begun hazing a few animals into the park near the west boundary. Landowners will still have all rights provided by state law for the removal of bison on their property. If private landowners request bison to be removed from their property, they will be hazed off private land first, if appropriate, or shot. NPS personnel may also haze bison between Madison Junction and Mammoth (inside the park), to prevent bison movement from the interior portions of the park to the north boundary. A second measure specifically addresses bison that may exit at the Reese Creek boundary area. When hazing bison to keep them within the park has failed or become ineffective, the National Park Service (NPS) will capture all bison at the Stephens Creek capture facility and serologically test bison for exposure to brucellosis. Only seropositive bison would be sent to slaughter. The seronegative bison will be held in the capture facility until late winter or early spring (mid- to late-April) and then released to move back into the park on their own. As a last resort, when hazing is no longer effective, NPS personnel would shoot bison at the park boundary of Reese Creek that evade capture or are deemed unsafe to capture and handle (usually large adult males). In order to reduce the number of bison being killed on public land and to provide agencies management flexibility, APHIS has determined that allowing untested low-risk bison (bulls, yearlings and calves) on public lands in the West Yellowstone area during winter will not jeopardize Montana's brucellosis class-free status. To further reduce any potential risk of brucellosis transmission, APHIS has determined that bison must be hazed back into Yellowstone National Park 60 days prior to cattle returning to public grazing allotments, thus maintaining a temporal and spatial separation between cattle and bison. Superintendent Finley stated, "This is a very significant issue to the American public and we will continue to work to preserve a wild, free-ranging bison population and assist Montana in maintaining its brucellosis class-free status." The Interim Bison Management Plan is in place until the long-term bison management plan and Environmental Impact Statement can be completed. The agencies are continuing to work on that document. The agencies are also continuing cooperative research on bison ecology and brucellosis in the greater Yellowstone area. |
A YNET Weekly Feature
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Recent press coverage about pork-barrel political interference in the allocation of National Park Service funds has led to a cry of protest from the American public. During the past week, Yellowstone Net has received a number of reader responses to our coverage of the political shenanigans regarding the allocation of NPS funds. All of the correspondence has expressed deep concern over Yellowstone being relegated to second-class status behind little known units of the NPS in regards to funding of new construction projects and basic maintenance. A major concern in Yellowstone right now is the ancient and leaking sewer system at Old Faithful Village. The system is in such a bad state of affairs that it is posing a danger to the underground natural water system which feeds Old Faithful Geyser. Over the years, mineral buildup in the pipes has constricted the flow to such an extent that the pipes are in precarious shape. The estimated cost of replacing the old sewer system is about $5 million dollars. It is a small price to pay for protecting Old Faithful Geyser for future generations. However, the political self-interests of some congressional members are siphoning off tremendous amounts of NPS monies to little-known, less significant NPS units. The result is that the money to replace Old Faithful's leaking sewer system has not been appropriated. If you are concerned about Old Faithful being a victim of pork-barrel politics, we encourage you to write your state's congressional delegates. You can help save Old Faithful! Click here to email your congressional delegate
Yellowstone Wolf Killed; Hunt Underway for Killer CODY, Wyo. -- The Billings Gazette reports that federal agents are investigating the killing of a Yellowstone wolf. Wolf "No. 30," a male member of the Druid Peak pack, was killed just outside of Yellowstone in the North Absaroka Wilderness Area. Officials suspect the killing may have been malicious in nature. Yellowstone's wolves are under federal protection. Killing a wolf is a federal offense punishable with up to five years in jail and a $500,000 fine.
Yellowstone Bison Behavior Studied WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont -- Even as Yellowstone officials wrestle with the ongoing bison and brucellosis controversy, efforts are now underway to study bison behavior. Ninety bison have been fitted with radio transmitters. Their movements will be monitored closely during the winter months, with the hope that by studying and identifying the winter movements of bison, the collected data can eventually contribute to a long term solution to the bison and brucellosis problem. |
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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.