Protect Bison Restoration on Federal Public Lands

I am writing as a Rhode Island constituent to respectfully request that you oppose the Department of the Interior’s efforts to impose restrictions on conservation-oriented bison grazing on federal public lands. On May 8, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management rescinded the authorization granted to American Prairie to graze bison on seven public-land allotments in Phillips County, Montana. This decision mandates the removal of the bison by September 30, 2026. American Prairie has been grazing bison on federal allotments with BLM authorization since 2005, maintaining over twenty years of compliance without any grazing violations and documenting improvements in rangeland conditions. The BLM now asserts that the Taylor Grazing Act only authorizes permits for livestock managed primarily for “production-oriented purposes.” This phrase is not defined within the statute; its usage marks a significant departure from the agency’s established practices. Furthermore, it creates a false dichotomy between productive land use and ecological restoration. Bison can be legally managed as livestock while simultaneously restoring grassland processes, enhancing habitat diversity, and holding profound cultural significance for Tribal nations. The proposed national grazing regulations under Docket BLM-2026-0001 aim to incorporate this “production-oriented” restriction into rules governing approximately 155 million acres of public land. Such a policy could set a harmful precedent extending beyond American Prairie, potentially excluding conservation herds and constraining future Indigenous bison-restoration efforts. Bison, our national mammal, serve as a keystone species of the Northern Great Plains. Their grazing, movement, and wallowing activities foster diverse plant communities and habitats for numerous prairie species. Federal policy should prioritize carefully regulated restoration within their historic range, rather than privileging cattle and excluding bison, as management of the latter yields ecological benefits. I respectfully solicit your support for the following actions: - Urge the Interior Department and BLM to suspend the September 30 removal requirement and to reconsider the decision made on May 8 while administrative and judicial challenges are ongoing. - Call for congressional oversight of BLM’s new interpretation of the Taylor Grazing Act, examining its legal basis, deviations from prior practice, and potential political influences. - Oppose the finalization of the “production-oriented” restriction unless conservation-managed bison are explicitly protected. - Mandate meaningful government-to-government consultation with Tribal nations prior to adopting regulations that could impact Indigenous bison restoration. - Support legislation or appropriations that explicitly affirm that responsibly managed bison can graze appropriate federal allotments, especially when ecological restoration is a primary goal. Public lands should be managed through principles of ecological science, Tribal consultation, responsible stewardship, and the broader public good. Kindly communicate these concerns to the leadership of the Department of the Interior and BLM and inform me of the actions your offices intend to undertake.