The Northeastern Regional Advisory Council voted unanimously to accept the Book Cliffs bison management plan after an extended presentation by Clint Sampson and public comment about bison impacts on small water sources.

Sampson told the RAC the plan and associated committee recommendations reached near-unanimous consensus after two meetings. During discussion, a RAC member asked whether the plan represents a substantial population increase; Sampson confirmed the objective had risen relative to earlier goals because bison are now using a wider distribution across the unit. One RAC member characterized the change as a substantial increase (a move from about 450 animals to roughly 650), and staff said the population is using more of the unit than in the past.

The plan discussion included mitigation actions for nonnative and feral animals. Sampson said the region removed about 348 feral horses from the landscape this past summer and noted additional removals by partners on tribal lands. County and state coordination, including state legislative funding for horse gathers and planned gathers in the Bonanza area and East Bench, were cited as part of ongoing removals. Sampson said habitat work and hunting pressure have also helped spread bison across more of the unit rather than concentrating impacts.

Public commenters raised concerns that large bison herds can deplete small, developed water sources (guzzlers, small reservoirs) used by other wildlife. Sampson and other staff acknowledged the issue, said bison do move and split into multiple herds across the Bitter Creek unit, and said hunting pressure and habitat work have been used to influence movements.

Following discussion, Natasha Hadden moved to accept the Book Cliffs bison management plan as presented; Jordan McMahon seconded and the motion passed unanimously by hand vote. Department staff said they will continue monitoring, coordinate with landowners and tribal partners, and adapt actions as needed.