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Federal Judge Partially Grants American Prairie Injunction in Bison-Grazing Dispute
The ruling lets American Prairie keep grazing nearly 1,000 bison while its lawsuit challenges the agency’s new livestock interpretation.
- On Friday, Montana Chief District Judge Brian Morris granted American Prairie a temporary restraining order, blocking a Bureau of Land Management rule that would have removed bison from three grazing allotments by September 30.
- Earlier this year, the BLM canceled the permits using a new interpretation of the 1934 Taylor Grazing Act, requiring livestock be 'production-oriented'—a reversal from policies maintained since 2022.
- The court labeled the agency's justification 'arbitrary, capricious,' noting that the BLM had authorized American Prairie's bison to graze on these lands for 20 years without prior violations.
- Relocating or culling the bison would cost American Prairie $405,000 to move, with culling resulting in $739,800 in losses plus $184,950 annually in potential calf income.
- Opposition from Montana officials, including Governor Greg Gianforte, stems from arguments that bison grazing on federal land conflicts with the state's agricultural economy and traditional livestock practices.
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12 Articles
12 Articles
ABC FOX Montana+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Court says American Prairie bison can stay for now
A federal judge has ruled American Prairie can keep grazing bison on three federal grazing allotments as a federal lawsuit plays out. The decision by Judge Brian Morris blocks, for now, a Bureau of Land Management rule that would have…
·Missoula, United States
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MissoulianReposted by 
Montana Standard
Montana StandardJudge's ruling on request to halt bison move off federal grazing leases
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·Missoula, United States
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Bison will stay, for now, on American Prairie's Montana grazing leases, judge rules
On Friday, District Court Judge Brian Morris issued a scathing 29-page rebuke to the Trump administration’s interpretation of the 1934 Taylor Grazing Act it had used to exclude American Prairie.
·Billings, United States
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Judge Halts BLM Directive To Removal Bison From Federal Grazing Allotments
A federal judge on Friday blocked a BLM directive to remove bison from Montana federal grazing allotments because they're being managed as wildlife, not livestock, in a move that a Wyoming bison rancher said is good news across the West.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution82% Center
Bias Distribution
- 82% of the sources are Center
82% Center
C 82%
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