FWP Extends Bison Quarantine Comment Period

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks today extended the comment period on an environmental assessment of a state and federal proposal to establish a bison quarantine facility near Corwin Springs.

The proposed facility would hold bison from Yellowstone National Park. Public comment on the assessment will now be accepted through Nov. 24.

The original comment deadline was Thursday, Nov. 11.

The aim of the proposal, which seeks to capture 200 Yellowstone bison and then place them under quarantine for three years, is to produce brucellosis-free animals that could be used to establish new disease-free bison herds in Montana and other states.

Many Yellowstone bison are infected with brucellosis. Transmission of brucellosis from bison to cattle would have significant adverse effects on the Montana cattle industry, the assessment states. The disease causes pregnant cows to abort their young.

The environmental assessment is available on FWP’s website, www.fwp.state.mt.us.   Public comment will be accepted until Nov. 24. Write to Montana FWP, Bison Quarantine, 1400 S. 19 th St., Bozeman, MT 59718, or via e-mail:    kaune@state.mt.us.