Clint Sampson, Book Cliffs biologist, told the RAC that committee participants who took part reached full consensus on the plan and that two invitees were unable to participate. He explained that the plan refines management by combining subunits to treat some herd components as connected subpopulations and recommended continuing similar permit numbers while allowing Bitter Creek herd a chance to grow modestly.

RAC members raised concerns about the plan’s effect on elk and deer in the Book Cliffs given limited forage and increasing feral-horse populations. Sampson said the division will use range-strand monitoring and habitat projects to adaptively manage impacts and that bison tend to spread under hunting pressure rather than concentrate and overgraze a single spot.

Members also pressed for monitoring thresholds and clarity on future hunt structure; Sampson said permit numbers should remain similar in the near term and that staff would be prepared to reduce permits if monitoring indicated problems. The RAC then moved and unanimously approved the plan.

Implementation: staff will continue habitat projects, maintain monitoring programs, and report back to the RAC and wildlife board if adaptive management triggers are met.