Land board okays Yellowstone bison deal

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Dec 15, 2008 at 8:46 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 15, 2008 at 8:46 PM MDT

BILLINGS - The Montana Land Board has given final approval to a multimillion dollar plan allowing some Yellowstone National Park bison to avoid slaughter by crossing through a ranch just north of the park.

Under terms of the deal, state and federal agencies and private conservation groups will pay $3.3 million over the next two decades to the ranch's owners, the Church Universal and Triumphant. In exchange, the church will allow bison to travel through its property along a fenced corridor leading to public land. The agreement was approved on a 5-0 vote Monday.

It also requires the church to give up its cattle grazing rights for 30 years to guard against potential transmissions of brucellosis, a disease carried by bison that can cause pregnant cows to abort their young.

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