HELENA (AP) - Three conservation groups are asking a judge to order the Montana Department of Livestock to release public records on the agency's bison management activities along the borders of Yellowstone National Park.

The Buffalo Field Campaign, The Ecology Center Inc., and Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers contend the department has ignored requests to inspect and copy public records on bison management. "We were in several different ways denied information," said Jim Coefield of The Ecology Center. A hearing was set for Thursday in District Court at Helena.

In a statement, the three groups said they have requested to inspect and copy public records on the Yellowstone bison management activities since early 2001, and have consistently been turned down. The groups sued the department earlier this year over its bison management practices at Heart [sic] Butte.

Jim Coefield, of The Ecology Center, said the attorney for the agency contends that because that lawsuit is ongoing, the groups' right to the documents has been modified. "We think that's absolutely ridiculous," Coefield said. Coefield said the agency's refusal to give the groups access to the documents violates their constitutional rights.

The agency has an agreement to work with the federal government in controlling Yellowstone bison that state officials and ranchers consider a threat to the livestock industry. The concern centers on brucellosis, a contagious disease widespread in Yellowstone's bison and elk herds. It causes cattle to abort and can result in undulant fever in humans. No one from the Department of Livestock could be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Top of Page