West Yellowstone, MT- Three Buffalo Field Campaign (BFC) volunteers were arrested this morning for halting a Department of Livestock trailer on the Rainbow Point Road near Horse Butte. The trailer was hauling the Horse Butte capture facility to the site for assembly. One volunteer was able to stop the trailer and its convoy of law enforcement personnel by locking himself to the rear of the trailer.

"Cleaver", Megan Fishback, and Drea Rightsell were charged with obstructing a peace officer and transported to the Gallatin County Jail in Bozeman. Megan Fishback stated the reason for the action, "We feel that this facility is being put in illegally and that it has harsh effects not only on buffalo but on bald eagles, wolves, elk and other sensitive wildlife that depend on Horse Butte to survive. We are going to stand strong like the buffalo."

On Monday, three Montana groups, Buffalo Field Campaign, Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers, and The Ecology Center, Inc. filed a 60-day Notice of Intent (NOI) to sue the State of Montana and the federal government in Federal District Court. The NOI documents violations of the Endangered Species Act(ESA) by the Montana Department of Livestock, the United States Forest Service, and the US Fish And Wildlife Service (USFWS).

"When the federal and state governments violate their own laws, there are no laws and the doors to chaos are opened. The two symbols of America--the eagle and buffalo--are being abused by our government, and we the people will not silently stand by and watch" stated Michael Mease, Field Coordinator for the Buffalo Field Campaign.

The NOI focuses on the capture facility's close proximity to bald eagle nesting, perching, and feeding sites. While preparing the Environmental Assessment (EA) to allow construction and use of the Horse Butte facility, the Gallatin NF entered into formal consultation with the USFWS because of the impacts the facility would have on the eagles.

Also, the current annual Operating Plan that the State is using and the Gallatin NF authorized is not in compliance with the ESA. Buffalo Field Campaign volunteers defend the buffalo on their traditional winter habitat and advocate for their protection. BFC is the only group working in the field every day to stop the slaughter of Yellowstone's wild buffalo.

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