030107 Judge Urged to Halt Bison Herding MethodJanuary 9, 2003Helena, MT - Environmental groups asked a federal judge Tuesday to halt the use of helicopters to drive wayward bison back into Yellowstone National Park until possible harm to other wildlife can be assessed. The groups contend Montana and the federal government are harming bald eagles, trumpeter swans and their habitat in trying to keep bison inside park borders. At issue is a management plan for bison that wander from Yellowstone into Montana in search of food during winter. Some of the park's bison are infected with brucellosis, which can cause domestic cattle to abort. To protect cattle, Montana can slaughter bison that cannot be driven back into the park. The environmental groups want U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell to order federal and state agencies to do detailed analyses of the use of helicopters -- and to stop the practice until those studies are done. Lovell seemed skeptical of the environmentalists' arguments during a hearing Tuesday. Halting the helicopters, he noted, would make more bison subject to slaughter. "How many buffalo are going to be killed to protect the eagles? Have you considered that question?" he asked attorney Brenda Lindlief-Hall, representing the environmental groups. She said she was not sure. Government lawyers asked Lovell to dismiss the suit, arguing that similar analyses were done long ago and that there is no proof of any harm to nesting eagles. Lindlief-Hall said those analyses were inadequate. John Bloomquist, an attorney for the Montana Livestock Department, defended the use of helicopters for the work. Bison are often indifferent to snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and riders on horseback, he said. The judge did not indicate when he would rule.
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