Liberty Belle
Well-known member
What do you suppose this idiotic idea cost the taxpayers before it was thrown out?
Feds deny petition for bison ESA listing
By Cory Hatch
August 18, 2007
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has denied a private citizen's request to list the Yellowstone bison as an endangered species after eight years of deliberation.
Minnesota resident James Horsley filed the petition in 1999, concerned that there were no limitations on killing bison that left the park. Horsley's petition came after the winter of 1996-97 when severe weather led to the deaths of over 1,000 bison as they tried to move into winter range outside the park.
According to Chuck Davis, endangered species litigation coordinator for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Yellowstone and other management agencies that oversee bison populations in Montana have since formulated a management plan that provides guidelines for killing bison meant to keep numbers high enough to maintain a viable population.
Davis said that, though the petition was unsuccessful, Horsley's concerns raised some key issues. "His main concern was there was no control over mortality," said Davis. "Because we didn't have a plan, his petition had some merit."
Also, Horsley suggested that the Yellowstone bison be considered a distinct population segment, a position that the agency ultimately agreed with.
"If you look at the Yellowstone bison herd, it is both discreet and important," said Davis. "It doesn't interbreed with other populations and it's significant because it's the only bison herd that has always been there. It never disappeared and it is not reconstituted from other herds."
Davis acknowledged that there are still some problems with Yellowstone bison, most notably a disease called brucellosis that bison might be able to transmit to cattle. "Clearly there were some issues here with management of the park's herd," he said. "Quite frankly our herd continues to grow and it doesn't show any problems with breeding and things like that. In fact, the herd is doing pretty darn well."
Horsley and representatives of the Buffalo Field Campaign could not be reached for comment.
http://www.jacksonholenews.com/article.php?art_id=2100
Feds deny petition for bison ESA listing
By Cory Hatch
August 18, 2007
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has denied a private citizen's request to list the Yellowstone bison as an endangered species after eight years of deliberation.
Minnesota resident James Horsley filed the petition in 1999, concerned that there were no limitations on killing bison that left the park. Horsley's petition came after the winter of 1996-97 when severe weather led to the deaths of over 1,000 bison as they tried to move into winter range outside the park.
According to Chuck Davis, endangered species litigation coordinator for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Yellowstone and other management agencies that oversee bison populations in Montana have since formulated a management plan that provides guidelines for killing bison meant to keep numbers high enough to maintain a viable population.
Davis said that, though the petition was unsuccessful, Horsley's concerns raised some key issues. "His main concern was there was no control over mortality," said Davis. "Because we didn't have a plan, his petition had some merit."
Also, Horsley suggested that the Yellowstone bison be considered a distinct population segment, a position that the agency ultimately agreed with.
"If you look at the Yellowstone bison herd, it is both discreet and important," said Davis. "It doesn't interbreed with other populations and it's significant because it's the only bison herd that has always been there. It never disappeared and it is not reconstituted from other herds."
Davis acknowledged that there are still some problems with Yellowstone bison, most notably a disease called brucellosis that bison might be able to transmit to cattle. "Clearly there were some issues here with management of the park's herd," he said. "Quite frankly our herd continues to grow and it doesn't show any problems with breeding and things like that. In fact, the herd is doing pretty darn well."
Horsley and representatives of the Buffalo Field Campaign could not be reached for comment.
http://www.jacksonholenews.com/article.php?art_id=2100
