The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department has notified the participants of last September’s Bison Discussion Group held in Lewistown, that a proposed Second Bison Discussion has now been re-scheduled for July 14-15 in Billings. (CLICK HERE to find the preliminary agenda on FWP's website.)
Earlier this year the FWP scheduled a Second Bison Discussion meeting in Lewistown for April 14-15, but then abruptly cancelled that meeting on April 12th.
According to information sent out a few days ago from the FWP, the department has said that they “…would like to hold another meeting of the 'Lewistown' bison discussion group July 14-15th, to continue where we left off in September …”
As before, this second meeting of a diverse group of interests and a number of state and community leaders will be facilitated by Ginny Tribe, who led the public discussion last September in Lewistown. A preliminary Meeting Agenda has been produced.
In cancelling the meeting that was originally scheduled for April 14-15, FWP Director Jeff Hagener explained at that time that the April meeting was cancelled because “there remained serious questions about intent and representation that are difficult to resolve,” and “at this point it would be counterproductive to proceed with the discussion.”
On January 17th, Jeff Hagener, Director of the FWP sent a memo to the members of that group, saying the FWP was proceeding with the development of a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to examine POSSIBLE BISON ALTERNATIVES, including restoration of a Free-Ranging Bison Population in Montana.
© Northern Ag Network 2014
