Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

As many of you are aware, the bison and elk herds south of us in Jackson, Wyoming have become the subject of discussion as their future "management" is determined. Scoping meetings to gather public input for the upcoming Draft EIS for the National Elk Refuge(NER) and Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) are underway. Scoping meetings are scheduled for the week of July 20th through August 3rd in varying locations. The EIS project team plans to have a draft EIS available September 15, 2002, the final EIS by Sept. 15, 2003, and a record of decision January 1, 2004. While the final decision is a ways off, now is our chance to give our well-educated input on the various issues.

The format of the meetings is similar to that of the pre-scoping. Issues identified in previous meetings are listed on a sheet of paper, with space for written comment. Each topic is discussed, with opportunity for public comments, which were recorded on paper. Participants had the option of making verbal comments as well as written. Finding common ground between extremes was encouraged and loosely facilitated during the Jackson meeting on July 2oth.

While the agencies appear committed to holding to the NEPA process and involving the public (due to the lawsuit brought about by the Fund for Animals on the 1996/97 management plan), and they have said they are attempting to be open to new comments and ideas, it is evident that many prefer the previously agreed upon objectives. In the plan created by state and federal agencies in 1996, they agreed on population objectives of no more than 400 bison and 11,000 elk for the NER and GTNP. It was stated that there has been no significant changes since those numbers were determined, and that this would be strongly considered when creating alternatives, and would likely be one of the alternatives.

Although I was reminded by one project member that the process is not and cannot be a vote, it is important that we supply them with as much public input as possible. Folks can print up the list of issues to comment on, or send them via email, noting that they are meant to be included in the public comment portion of the scoping process. Email for the project is: bison/elk_planning@fws.gov. The address to send comments to is:

National Elk Refuge
Elk/Bison Management Plan
P.O. Box 510, Jackson, WY 83001

Visit the Buffalo Field Campaign web site for meetings times and places.

Send an email showing your concern for the buffalo to public officials, visit, send-mail. Stay informed, sign up to BFC e-mail update list (1-4 per month).

Contributions to BFC are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, and support our aggressive front line volunteer campaign. We put the wild buffalo first! BFC is the only group working 365 days a year in Yellowstone with the buffalo.