Montana, federal government agree to drop lawsuit over Yellowstone bison management plan, tell me about this news in (https://www.ktvh.com/news/montana-politics/montana-federal-government-agree-to-drop-lawsuit-over-yellowstone-bison-management-plan)
16-09-2026
The State of Montana and the federal government have agreed to dismiss Montana’s lawsuit challenging the National Park Service’s management plan for Yellowstone National Park’s wild bison.Key details of the story:
- Background of the Dispute: The lawsuit, originally filed by Montana in late 2024, challenged a federal management plan adopted that same year. That plan manages the park’s bison population at around 5,000 animals, allows expanded tribal hunting outside park boundaries, and supports transfer programs sending disease-free bison to Native American tribal lands. Montana state officials had pushed to cut the population target significantly, citing concerns over potential disease transmission (brucellosis) to domestic cattle and impacts on local ranchers.
- Reason for Dropping the Lawsuit: The decision to dismiss the suit comes as the National Park Service conducts a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to re-evaluate aspects of the plan and explore additional management alternatives. State attorneys noted that this upcoming federal review provides a collaborative administrative avenue to address and potentially resolve Montana’s concerns outside the courtroom.
- Reactions: Conservation organizations (such as the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the National Parks Conservation Association) and tribal leaders (including the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation) welcomed the dismissal. They emphasized that ending the litigation allows stakeholders to focus on science-based management, treaty rights, and bison restoration while continuing to protect Montana’s livestock industry.