Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Prevent Release of Wood Bison into the Wild

[Dand]

This is frustrating but in some ways he has a point. I hope he works to secure an agreement to avoid the problems he fears:

http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-bison-bill-20110407,0,7216726.story

ori Tipton
Channel 2 News
5:47 p.m. AKDT, April 7, 2011
Anchorage, Alaska—
Fear of federal land grabbing could make it more difficult for the Alaska to restore wood bison to a habitat near the Lower Innoko River.

Representative Alan Dick, R-Stony River, sponsored the bill that would require legislative approval before the bison can be moved from Portage to the Interior. Earlier this week, he warned fellow legislators that the bison will bring trouble.

"I think the potential long term consequences can be devastating," Rep. Dick told Channel 2. He said he initially supported the idea of having wood bison near his community, but then changed his mind. "I don't think the state needs this problem."

Dick opposes the release for fear that the federal government would use the animals as an excuse to lock up more land.  "When did the federal government ever pass up the opportunity to lock up Alaska? The answer is that I know of, never, and I don't think that they'll pass up this opportunity at all either," Rep. Dick told said.

"I want them on the headwaters of the Stony [River] but they're 'Trojan' bison and I believe once we let them in the door, there's no way to stop the problem that they can cause."

[S.E.Ak]

Move them to Wrangell and nobody will have to worry about them anymore

[Sourdough]

I have been associated with this project for the last 10 years.  All along the US Fish and Wildlife service has said they were not interested in the least about the Wood Bison.  They would classify them as an experimental herd, and not  any concern to them.

Then about the first week of April they came back and changed their minds.  They have now placed them on the endangered species list, and removed the term hunting from their future uses.  They have said as soon as the State turns them loose US Fish and Wildlife will assume control over them and their habitat.  So the state is currently keeping them on pasture in Portage.