Trump admin evicting bison herds from federal lands so repub cattle ranchers can let their cattle graze cheaply

https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/bison-trump-federal-land-montana-f95rsnmrj

Trump to deport hundreds of bison from Montana
The American Prairie Foundation has had its license to graze conservation herds of bison on federal pastures revoked by the Department of the Interior



The American Prairie Foundation, a non-profit with the backing of rich donors in New York and California, has bought up and leased hundreds of thousands of acres in Montana, angering some local cattle ranchers who say they are being priced out of the deep-red state


Until earlier this year, American Prairie had leases to graze its bison on seven allotments in Phillips County, Montana. However, Doug Burgum, the secretary of the interior, who owns a ranch in neighbouring North Dakota, has favoured the arguments of cattle farmers eager to graze their cow herds on cheap federal lands instead.

In a statement earlier this year the Bureau of Land Management, an agency of the Department of the Interior, said it would cancel the foundations licences — scuppering the organisation’s plans to grow its herd to 5,000 bison.

Burgum’s friend, the Republican governor of Montana, Greg Gianforte, celebrated the decision, promising to “stand with our farmers and ranchers against federal overreach”. He said: “We must ensure that public lands remain accessible and productive, rather than being locked away for the vision of special interests.”