Bison Ordinance Hits The Ballots

While the ballots won't be ready for voters for a few more weeks, a bison ordinance has been discussed and worked on with Valley County Commissioners and the Valley County Conservation District Board.

The conservation board members met with county commissioners on June 18 to discuss an ordinance that would protect property owners from bison/buffalo grazing. According to the county commissioner meeting minutes, the county attorney advised that the documents were from McCone County and what they had used for an ordinance.

Jeff Pattison explained that the ordinance was changed to make it work in Valley County. He said the conservation board came to look at the ordinance as legislature started to move through the state level. He explained that several other counties were looking at something similar.

While the conservations board discussed the ordinance with the commissioners, it was later decided that the conservation district worked as their own entity and could place the ordinance on the ballot for voters to decide. Commissioners signed the resolution to authorize it on July 2. The conservation district excludes Glasgow and Nashua, as they opted out years prior.

The conservation district's ordinance states that the migratory behavior of the bison could create lasting implants to soil and water sources. It states that the intent is to protect the soil and water sources in the boundaries of the district from damages from bison. The ordinance calls for a permit in order to authorize grazing of bison in the conservation district. Lands that don't have sustainable habitat or adequate supply of water would be denied, or land where bison would create damages to land, drainages and waterways.

Pattison explained that six other counties were looking at a similar ordinance. The idea is to make sure that owners of bison are liable and responsible for damages that could be created. “If you have them, you have to take care of them,” Pattison said.

Pattison explained the local bison are a great example of how bison can be taken care of responsibly. He said that turning over free roaming bison is not responsible and can cause further damages.

“You can be proud of your conservation district, we're doing everything we can to protect,” Pattison said.

The ordinance will be ready for voters as the election comes up on Tuesday, Nov. 4.