State Of Montana Drops Bison Lawsuit

(Full story at KULR8.com) A new environmental impact study for bison management at Yellowstone National Park prompted the State of Montana to drop its 2024 lawsuit challenging the National Park Service, according to recent court documents.

A motion to dismiss filed by Montana and the U.S. Department of the Interior said the proposal for a new study “identifies new alternatives and provides additional analysis” that could address or resolve Montana’s claims.

The initial lawsuit, filed in December 2024, complained that the National Park Service passed its 2024 Bison Management Plan without appropriately considering Montana’s input.

In January 2025, the Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Council on Fish and Wildlife launched a similar lawsuit against the National Park Service, arguing the 2024 Bison Management Plan failed to consider up-to-date science about brucellosis.

A judge consolidated the two lawsuits in September 2025.

In the early months of 2025, environmental groups and regional tribes wrote in support of the National Parks Service.

The National Park Service announced its intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement in April 2026. It said the supplemental plan would update the analysis in its 2024 Bison Management Plan.
The Department of the Interior filed a motion in May 2026 to put the lawsuits against the National Park Service on hold as a result of the study, but the judge presiding over the case denied the request.

A joint request involving Montana and the Department of the Interior was filed on September 14, 2026, asking the judge to dismiss the lawsuit.

Floyd G. Azure, the Chairman of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation, said he was "encouraged" by Montana's request for dismissal.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the National Park Service on the plan, particularly to maximize the use of the Fort Peck Tribes’ successful bison quarantine program as we continue to restore wild bison to Indian Country and fulfill Treaty and trust obligations,” Azure said.

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Council on Fish and Wildlife were not involved in the request, meaning its lawsuit against the National Park Service would not be affected by the request for dismissal.