RELEASE: Senators Mullin, Heinrich Reintroduce Bipartisan Indian Buffalo Management Act

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) reintroduced the bipartisan Indian Buffalo Management Act, legislation that promotes Tribal capacity to own and manage buffalo on tribal lands.

The Indian Buffalo Management Act directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to work with Tribes and Tribal organizations by entering into contracts, conducting consultation, and providing technical assistance to Tribes for activities related to buffalo restoration or management.

"The buffalo is essential to our heritage and must be supported. I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation that will help Tribes reestablish buffalo herds on reservation lands," said Senator Mullin. "Doing so ensures that Native peoples across the country will continue reconnecting with a keystone of their historic culture and way of life."

"For generations, buffalo have been a critical part of our culture - in New Mexico, the West, and especially in Indian Country. And I hope that within my lifetime, thanks to our broad coalition, buffalo will return to the prominent place they once occupied as the keystone species on American shortgrass prairies," said Senator Heinrich. "That's why I'm proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal support for Tribal buffalo programs and continue the growth of Tribal buffalo herds. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Mullin to strengthen this federal partnership and secure future funding for this initiative."

Background: The Indian Buffalo Management directs the Department of Interior to:

• Promote and develop the capacity of Tribes and tribal organizations to manage buffalo and buffalo habitat.
• Ensure that Tribes are directly involved in the Interior Department decision-making regarding buffalo.
• Develop a policy related to buffalo and buffalo habitat management activities on tribal land.
• Contract with Tribes to transport surplus buffalo from federal and to tribal land.

Full text of the Indian Buffalo Management Act can be found here.

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