This bill creates comprehensive federal protections for American bison, grizzly bears, and wolves, recognizing their cultural importance to Native American tribes and their role in maintaining ecosystem health. The legislation prohibits taking, possessing, or selling these species with limited exceptions for Tribal cultural and religious purposes, self-defense, and captive-bred bison for consumption, with civil penalties up to $25,000 and criminal penalties up to $50,000 and one year imprisonment for violations. The bill establishes three restoration committees—one for each species—composed of federal and state wildlife experts, tribal representatives, and scientific advisors, tasked with identifying suitable habitat for reintroduction on tribal lands and in areas where tribes have treaty rights, with a required report due within two years. The legislation also allows the federal government to accept donated grazing permits on public and national forest lands to reduce conflicts between livestock and these species, and it restricts the use of lethal predator control methods on federal lands where these species may be affected. The bill emphasizes tribal co-management and consultation requirements before any major federal actions affecting these species or their habitats.
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