Trump Administration Bans Nonprofit Bison Grazing on Federal Lands, Exempts Tribes

The Trump administration has issued a final decision banning the nonprofit organization American Prairie from grazing bison on federal lands in northeastern Montana. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum rescinded seven grazing leases previously approved by the Biden administration, arguing that American Prairie’s bison are ineligible because they are raised for conservation rather than commercial products like meat or milk. This move targets approximately 950 bison on 63,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land. While American Prairie condemns the ruling as a politically motivated misinterpretation of the Taylor Grazing Act and threatens legal action, the decision explicitly exempts Native American tribes. The Interior Department provided assurances to over fifty tribes managing large bison herds, acknowledging their sovereignty and distinct status. This action aligns with the administration's broader effort to reverse Biden-era conservation policies, including the recent repeal of the Public Lands Rule. The decision highlights a sharp contrast in treatment between a private conservation group and indigenous communities, sparking debate over public land management, livestock definitions, and political influence in environmental regulation.