Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Judge Rejects Bid To Block Sheep Grazing In Centennial Range

A sheep research flock at U.S. Sheep Experiment Station
USDA (PD)

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A judge says he won't block sheep grazing in a mountain range on the Idaho-Montana border despite worries by wildlife advocates that federally-protected grizzly bears could be harmed.

U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen said in Monday's order that he was siding with federal officials who concluded grazing sheep in the Centennial Mountains would not harm bears.

Christensen says wildlife advocates also failed to prove that grazing makes bears more likely to chase or attack humans.

The case involves the U.S. Agriculture Department's Sheep Experiment Station near Dubois in eastern Idaho.

Grazing was suspended in 2013 following previous lawsuits from environmental groups contending the area is a corridor for grizzlies between Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho.

Grazing is scheduled to resume this summer after officials conducted a new environmental review.

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content