Why One State Is Suing One of Their Own National Parks

A newly approved plan to nearly double the number of Yellowstone bison has led to a lawsuit from Montana officials who worry about the impact on local communities.

Key Facts:

Yellowstone spans mainly across Wyoming, but about 3% of it lies in Montana.
In 2022, the National Park Service (NPS) approved a plan to raise the bison population to more than 6,000.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte filed a lawsuit claiming the plan overlooks risk of infection via brucellosis.
Yellowstone officials say the plan is needed for wildlife preservation and aim to work with tribal groups on bison transfers.

The Rest of The Story:

Yellowstone’s bison are famous for roaming freely through the park’s landscapes, drawing visitors from all over. Park officials argue that increasing the herd size benefits both the species and the park’s ecosystems, pointing to research that supports safe breeding of larger herds.

However, the state of Montana asserts that federal authorities rushed forward without adequately consulting locals who live in the region. The lawsuit accuses the NPS of ignoring concerns about the disease brucellosis.

According to the NIH, brucellosis is a reproductive disease which causes abortion, stillbirth, death of young ones, birth of weak calves, infertility, and significant reduction in milk yield.

This disease, should it spread to cattle and other herding animals, would impose an unfair burden on Montana’s livestock industry.

Commentary:

It is challenging to balance the desire to protect bison in a national park with the realities facing nearby farmers and ranchers.

On one hand, parks exist to safeguard wildlife, but on the other, people living close to these areas depend on healthy livestock for their livelihoods.

Efforts to protect wild animals can become complicated when neighboring communities bear new financial or health risks. Policymakers face tough decisions, and no approach completely satisfies every interest group.

The Bottom Line:

Yellowstone’s bison remain a treasure worth preserving, yet Montana leaders are pushing back over concerns about disease and local impacts. The final outcome will shape how public lands balance wildlife conservation and community needs.