HELENA, Mont. (March 30, 2022) – Today, Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) President Jim Steinbeisser issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed decision for the American Prairie Reserve Change Application for bison on seven grazing allotments: 

“Our organization and our members have consistently provided comments regarding our concerns with APR’s proposals. These include concerns over the impacts to the rangeland health, riparian areas, and socioeconomic impacts to the rural communities and the livestock industry. The proposed decision published today did not address the concerns brought forth by our association, as well as numerous other ranching families.”

Jim Steinbeisser, Montana Stockgrowers Association President

In recent years, MSGA has raised a variety of issues with the APR’s request to BLM to change the class of livestock from cattle to bison, change the authorized seasons-of-use, and the removal of interior fences and have shared disappointment in the BLM’s draft EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Six out of seven allotments were awarded changes requested by the APR, with only slight modifications.

This proposed decision is a significant change to grazing on federal lands and could have serious repercussions on BLM grazing throughout the West. MSGA will continue to advocate for Montana ranchers as this process moves forward.”

The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With a 135 year history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.

CONTACT:
Keni Reese
Director of Marketing & Communications
406-442-3420
[email protected]

To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/