With a congressional hearing set for Tuesday over the government's killing of bison that migrate from Yellowstone National Park, state officials are negotiating to give the animals safe travel through a sprawling, church-owned ranch north of the park.

A deal would end a seven-year impasse on about 6,000 acres owned by the Church Universal and Triumphant, a religious sect that gained notoriety last decade for its predictions of impending apocalypse. Church President Kate Gordon said Friday the two parties "are very close" to a final agreement.

Grazing rights purchase

The purchase of grazing rights on the property would give bison room to move out of the park without possibly being rounded up for slaughter, as mandated by state and federal policies. The policies were created after cattle producers expressed concern their grazing animals would become infected with brucellosis through contact with Yellowstone bison carrying the disease.

In cattle brucellosis can cause the abortion of calves. Some Montana ranchers worry brucellosis in their livestock would restrict the cattle trade, including beef exports.

Source: billingsgazette.com