Yellowstone Extends Public Comment Period On Bison Vaccination Proposal

Yellowstone National Park is extending the public comment period on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which looks at vaccinating bison against brucellosis without capturing or handling the animals.

The purpose of remote vaccination of bison inside the park is to reduce the brucellosis infection rate in order to increase tolerance for bison on historic and essential winter range outside the park in Montana when cattle are not present. The park believes the most logical method for remote delivery of the vaccine is to use a compressed air rifle to deliver an absorbable projectile containing the vaccine.

The initial 60-day review and comment period was set to end on July 26. Due to public interest and concerns about uncertainties disclosed in the Draft EIS, the National Park Service has decided to extend the comment period for an additional 60 days.

The Draft EIS and an electronic form to submit comments on the Internet can be found at the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yell. The Draft EIS is also available on CD or in hard copy by writing the Bison Management Program, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190.

Written comments may be submitted through the PEPC website, in person, or by mail. Comments will not be accepted over the phone, by fax, or e-mail. All public comments must now be received or postmarked by midnight, September 24, 2010.

Yellowstone is home to the last free ranging and wild herd of pure plains bison. Between 40 and 60 percent of the bison have been exposed to the bacteria which causes brucellosis; a disease which can induce abortions or the result in the birth of non-viable calves in both cattle and wildlife.