BLM Upholds Decision to Revoke American Prairie's Bison Grazing Leases
The agency said the herd is managed as wildlife for conservation, and the order sets a Sept. 30, 2026 deadline to remove bison.
- The Bureau of Land Management finalized a decision on Friday to revoke grazing permits for American Prairie's bison herd on over 63,000 acres of public land in Phillips County, Montana, citing the Taylor Grazing Act.
- Reversing a 2022 authorization, the agency concluded American Prairie manages its bison as wildlife for conservation and ecological restoration rather than as "domestic livestock" for "production-oriented purposes" under federal grazing law.
- American Prairie, managing about 940 bison, disputes this characterization, noting it has "harvested or shipped out 48% of the 2,100 bison we have raised in the past 20 years" for food banks.
- With a transition period until September 30, 2026, the permits are rescinded; American Prairie Director of Public Affairs Beth Saboe confirmed the organization will "pursue all legal actions available" to challenge the decision.
- Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Stockgrowers Association praised the move, while Indigenous groups like the Coalition of Large Tribes warn the decision's "domestic livestock" definition could jeopardize tribal bison grazing permits.
17 Articles
17 Articles
ABC FOX Montana
Federal agency revokes bison grazing permits in Philips County area
PHILIPS COUNTY, Mont. – Montana state leaders clashed with conservationist groups and local tribes after a federal agency cancelled grazing permits for bison on over 63,000 acres of federal public lands in Phillips County.
BLM upholds decision to ban American Prairie bison from federal leases
The BLM's acting director has upheld the overturning the Montana field office’s ruling which had approved American Prairie’s request to graze bison on seven federal leases in northeastern Montana.
BLM revokes American Prairie bison grazing permits for Phillips County
For more than 20 years, American Prairie land in northcentral Montana has been a home where bison roam. The organization currently manages about 940 bison across two properties totaling about 50,000 acres within its 600,000-acre footprint in southern Phillips County.Since July 2022, the animals have had access to thousands of acres of federal Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments on American Prairie's Sun Prairie and White Rock units perm…
BLM revokes American Prairie bison grazing permits
For more than 20 years, American Prairie land in northcentral Montana has been a home where bison roam. The organization currently manages about 940 bison across two properties totaling about 50,000 acres within its 600,000-acre footprint in southern Phillips County.Since July 2022, the animals have had access to thousands of acres of federal Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments on American Prairie's Sun Prairie and White Rock units perm…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 87% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
