Bison quarantine approved

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Date: May 16, 2018
Contact: Morgan Warthin, (307) 344-2015

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - On May 14, 2018, the National Park Service (NPS) Intermountain Regional Director signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA), The Use of Quarantine to Identify Brucellosis-free Yellowstone Bison for Relocation Elsewhere. The approved FONSI allows the NPS to implement a quarantine program, as described in the selected action.

The purpose of the quarantine program is to augment or establish new conservation and cultural herds of plains bison, enhance cultural and nutritional opportunities for American Indians, and reduce shipments of Yellowstone bison to slaughter facilities. “

Quarantine is a positive step forward for bison conservation,” said Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk. “The NPS will continue to work closely with tribes, the State of Montana, the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and other stakeholders to implement this program.”

The NPS conducted a 45-day public scoping period for the EA, from July 28 to September 12, 2014. The scoping period included public meetings in Gardiner and Bozeman, Montana, on August 18 and 19, 2014. The NPS then prepared the EA and released it for a 45-day public comment and review on January 13, 2016. After completion of the public comment period, the NPS reviewed comments and worked with state, federal, and tribal partners to develop the selected action and prepare the FONSI. Responses to public comments on the EA can be found in the Errata Sheet section of the FONSI.

View the FONSI and EA at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BisonQuarantine