Federal Agencies Move Forward on Bison and Cattle Protection Plan
                                                               
                                                               
                                            Release No. 0489.99
                                                               
                                 Patrick Collins (202) 720-4623
                                      Department of Agriculture
                                     John Wright (202) 208-6416
                                         Department of Interior


FEDERAL AGENCIES MOVE FORWARD ON BISON AND CATTLE PROTECTION PLAN

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 1999 -- The federal agencies involved in the
Yellowstone bison situation have advised the state of Montana that they are
moving ahead to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the
management of the Yellowstone National Park bison herd.

     Because the negotiations with Montana have reached an impasse, agency
officials have decided to move forward on their own to complete the EIS and
take other steps to protect cattle and minimize the lethal control of bison.

     "We all agree that protecting Montana cattle is critical," said Michael
Dunn, Undersecretary of Agriculture for marketing and regulatory programs,
"but we believe significant adjustments can be made to the current bison test
and slaughter policy."  

     "We have spent countless hours combining the best science, experience
and practicality to protect both cattle and bison," said Don Barry, Assistant
Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  "Unfortunately, we
have reached an impasse with the state and we feel we must move forward on our
own."

     The agency proposal is designed to address both short-term and long-term
goals of the EIS process, including the eventual eradication of brucellosis
from the Yellowstone ecosystem.  In the short term, it would provide spatial
and temporal separation of bison and cattle through a zoned approach.  The 
proposal would allow bison outside of the Park only in three very limited and
well-defined areas west and north of the Park.  Only 100 would be allowed in
the Horse Butte west boundary area, only 100 in the Reese Creek area, and only
200 in the Eagle Creek/Bear Creek area.  Adjustments would be made as more is
learned through daily operations.

     These zones would then be buffered by additional zones into which no
bison would be permitted.  Cattle would be permitted back in the zones 45 days
after bison have returned to the Park.  Given that the brucella organism
survives for only approximately 17 days in spring conditions, this 45 day
separation allows more than ample time for the organism to expire.

     Long-term, the agencies are committed to developing and using a safe and
effective vaccine in the Park until brucellosis is eradicated from the herd
and would include such efforts in the proposal. Safety studies for calfhood
vaccination should be completed by the winter of 2000-2001.  Studies on
vaccine effectiveness should be completed by the fall of 2002 and a safe and
effective delivery mechanism should be developed b the summer of 2002.

     The Park Service, the Forest Service, and APHIS are in agreement on the
basic elements of a sound, workable plan.  The Park Service has agreed to
vaccinate inside the Park.  The Forest Service has adjusted grazing allotments
to help maintain critical separation between bison and cattle.  APHIS has
clearly stated that the federal plan will not jeopardize Montana's
brucellosis-free status.  Further, the recent $13 million purchase of lands
north of the Park has provided significant additional potential for bison
winter grazing.

     As the agencies move forward, they will continue working with Montana on
daily bison management issues.

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