Groups Challenge Proposed Revocation Of Bison Grazing Permits

The Bureau of Land Management has put forward a proposal that, if approved, would revoke grazing permits used to sustain American Prairie’s bison herd in north-central Montana. In response, the group filed an official Protest against the proposal, alongside a Protest from the Coalition of Large Tribes which represents more than 50 tribes with the largest land bases and more than half the Native American population.

Further Protests were filed by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Tribes, the Tanka Fund, Wild Idea Buffalo Company, Defenders of Wildlife, and Western Watersheds Project. The Tribes warn the proposal would effectively bar tribal bison herds nationwide, undermining treaty rights, food sovereignty, and cultural survival.

In 2022, under the Biden administration, BLM approved American Prairie’s plan to allow bison grazing on 63,000 acres of public lands. The plan faced pushback, but BLM defended its decision until February 2025, when it sought a voluntary remand to reconsider it. On January 16, BLM issued a Notice of Proposed Decision that the agency had reversed its prior position and proposed a rescission of the permits.

The Protest filed by American Prairie asserts that “[t]he agency’s new position…is meritless and a complete reversal from BLM’s previous briefings and longstanding practice.” The group says the change could undermine 41 current grazing permits for bison ranchers across six western states.

“This proposal is an unprecedented reversal of BLM’s own decision-making after more than 40 years of treating bison as eligible livestock under federal grazing law,” said Alison Fox, CEO of American Prairie. “BLM lawfully approved these permits after a thorough environmental review and defended them for years. Abruptly rescinding them now—under political pressure—creates immense uncertainty and sends a chilling signal to Tribes, ranchers, and conservation partners who depend on fair and predictable public land management.”

BLM underwent a considerable environmental assessment and an extensive public comment period prior to 2022 to arrive at its decision to reclassify the grazing leases to allow bison. Defenders of Wildlife notes that bison play a key role in restoring grassland biodiversity, improving soil health and creating “green waves” of plant growth, to the benefit of pollinators, birds and other wildlife.

“By revoking these leases, the Bureau of Land Management is undermining its own mission to sustain health, diversity and productivity across our public lands,” said Andrew Bowman, Defenders of Wildlife president and CEO. “Wherever bison graze, they bring true ecological benefit to their environments, as well as to the Native Nations who partner with American Prairie. Defenders stands with American Prairie in the fight to do what’s right for our national mammal.”   

BLM is required to review and consider issues raised in any protests received. After a final decision by the agency, interested parties will have 30 days to file an administrative appeal.