National park service buffalo management plan

[rugerman]

Comment now and let them know we prefer to hunt rather than employ sharpshooters

 

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=65&projectID=49574&documentID=71123

[mbiewer]

March 7, 2016

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the scope of the Bison Management Plan at Grand Canyon National Park. The focus of the planning effort will shift from development of a long-term management plan for North Rim bison to initial herd reduction.

 

Proposed National Park Service actions that will be analyzed in the Environmental Assessment include:

• Implementation of a suite of management tools (e.g., capture/removal, sharpshooting, and localized fencing of sensitive park resources) that would be used, in collaboration with state and federal partners, to reduce the bison population, currently estimated at 400 to 600 animals, to approximately 80 to 200 animals.

• Development and implementation of monitoring protocols to help improve understanding and to inform decisions about long-term bison management.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission believes licensed citizen hunters should be considered as a significant part of a comprehensive solution to reduce and manage the bison herd. Allowing volunteer sportsmen and women to assist in managing the bison population would take the financial burden off the taxpayer and is the most economically and logistically effective option.

 

How to provide comment

 

The preferred method for submitting comments is through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website. You may also mail or hand-deliver your comments to the Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023. Comments will be accepted through March 26, 2016.

 

Additional information can be found at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/grca_bison.

 

Background

 

The bison herd occupying Grand Canyon’s North Rim lands and adjacent land is estimated at between 400 and 600 animals. The population must be reduced to minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources within the park. In 2014, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the NPS initiated public scoping for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to develop a long-term, coordinated approach to manage the current and future effects of bison on the park's natural and cultural resources. As a result of the change in scope to initial herd reduction, the NPS now proposes to complete an Environmental Assessment instead of an EIS. Cooperators on the project include NPS, U.S. Forest Service Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Intertribal Buffalo Council.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AZGFD’s programs or activities, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the Director’s Office, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS:WSFR, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Director’s Office as listed above

[mbiewer]

just seen it. Seems like there ought to be a better way rather than elimination.

[Non-Typical Solutions]

So on one hand we are introducing the wolf and on the other hand reducing buffalo herds.....I loved this quote from that briefing!!

 

 

The population must be reduced to minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources within the park.

 

What the heck is cultural resources???

 

What about those wild mustangs??? What about their impact on natural and cultural resources???

 

Lots of fence hopping going on with what is and ain't good for nature and culture!!!

[GreyGhost85]

now those renegade wolves that are crossing over from montana through utah won't have as much food

[Big Browns]

I just submitted my comments. I really hope they allow AZGFD to do what they are mandated to do in Arizona and not allow govement sharp shooters!!!

[Sam]

Thanks for the information......Comments submitted.

[hoghntr]

Ya know g&f has our backs this time cuz it could cost them $200-$500k in tags.. Bet they will actually be fighting for us