Testimony on SB 148

Dear Chairman Donald Steinbeisser and members of the Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee,

On behalf of Buffalo Field Campaign I am submitting testimony on SB 148. Please share my testimony with committee members. I would also request that my testimony be entered into the hearing record and transcript. Unfortunately, I cannot be present for the hearing.

Buffalo Field Campaign is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone's wild buffalo herd, protect the natural habitat of wild free-roaming buffalo and native wildlife, and to work with people of all Nations to honor the sacredness of the wild buffalo.

Our members, who come from all walks of life and from places all around the world, envision a life for buffalo in which they thrive within a state of inherent wildness. We also envision a world in which buffalo and all other native wildlife are given precedence on public land, and where buffalo herds remain as a self-regulating sustainable population, and a viable genetic source for the future evolutionary potential of the wildlife species.

I am also a resident of West Yellowstone and live year-round in the Hebgen basin where America's last wild buffalo roam.

Buffalo Field Campaign is adamantly opposed to SB 148, for many reasons.

Current law MCA 81-2-120 does not permit livestock inspectors to trespass on private lands to harass and harm wild buffalo where they are welcomed and valued. That is as it should be.

Local residents and members of Buffalo Field Campaign are strongly opposed to SB 148's exemptions for entry - gutting the provision of notifying and obtaining approval from landowners and local residents PRIOR to Dept. of Livestock inspectors coming onto private property to force buffalo to flee or be shot.

SB 148 is a post-hoc way to give Montana Dept. of Livestock trespassing powers to use whenever it suits their interests.

You do not correct a legal wrong being done to wild buffalo and local residents by permitting illegal conduct to become law in Montana.

The whole idea is to prevent trespass and to keep livestock inspectors from trespassing on private property where wild buffalo are valued and welcomed in our neighborhoods and communities.

The premise of SB 148 is also a fallacy: there is no "public health and safety" threat where buffalo are permitted by local residents to be on their property.

The "public health and safety" threat is created by livestock inspectors flying helicopters just off the ground to force buffalo to flee private lands like the Yellowstone Ranch Preserve, and Hebgen Lake Estates, Yellowstone Village.

The "public health and safety" threat is created by livestock inspectors stampeding buffalo through fences and people's backyards, across highways and roads, and disturbing bears, moose, elk, migratory birds, eagles, and all the native wildlife that shares habitat with buffalo.

If there is in fact a public health or disease concern, manage the cattle.

If there is a valid safety concern, people can call Buffalo Field Campaign, our local game wardens, or wildlife biologists in our communities. Call Buffalo Field Campaign (406) 646-0070.

The public health and safety logic of SB 148 begs the question: are elk a "public health and safety" threat too?

There is a resident elk herd traversing the Hebgen Basin year round, including on Horse Butte Peninsula where the majority of local residents support a refuge for wild buffalo on public lands and private lands they own.

Will the Montana legislature give a special dispensation to the Dept. of Livestock to trespass on private lands to force elk to flee?

People are tired of being bullied around by livestock inspectors stepping outside their jurisdiction and authority, being treated unfairly and badly, and having their rights repeatedly violated, and the sheer lack of common sense being displayed today by Montana to harass and harm buffalo.

Do not let SB 148 become law and permit the Montana Dept. of Livestock to trespass on private lands where buffalo are welcome and valued. Thank you.

Darrell Geist
Habitat Coordinator
Buffalo Field Campaign
PO Box 957
West Yellowstone MT 59758
phone: (406) 646-0070
fax: (406) 646-0071
email: z@wildrockies.org