Trump Administration Targets Bison on Federal Grazing Lands
Why it matters: If finalized this spring, over 950 buffalo will be evicted from tens of thousands of acres of federal land.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum proposed canceling leases for buffalo grazing on federal land, citing that bison are not raised for "production-oriented purposes."
- Montana Governor Greg Gianforte praised the proposed banishment, stating it addresses federal overreach and supports the state's agricultural economy and local communities.
- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), part of the Interior Department, has historically prioritized cattle grazing leases, which are significantly cheaper than private land leases, over bison conservation, despite the department's official seal featuring a buffalo.
- American Prairie, a nonprofit foundation, holds the seven federal lease allotments targeted by Interior's decision, having managed bison on these lands for 20 years without major incident.
- Cattle ranchers and Republican politicians in Montana have expressed anti-bison sentiments, viewing the presence of buffalo as a threat to their agricultural interests and advocating for the removal of bison from federal grazing lands.
The Trump administration, through Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, is moving to cancel federal grazing leases for nearly 1,000 bison in Montana, a move supported by cattle ranchers and Republican politicians like Governor Greg Gianforte. This decision prioritizes cattle grazing and resource extraction over conservation, reversing a Biden administration stance and sparking controversy given the Interior Department's historical role in bison preservation.
