Suit seeks to stop grazing along Upper Missouri

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Nov 24, 2009 at 3:47 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 24, 2009 at 3:47 PM MDT

BILLINGS - A push to end grazing along a 150-mile stretch of the Missouri River seeks to bar about 10,000 cattle from federal lands in central Montana so that the river valley can be restored to more natural conditions.

The 586-square-mile Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument was created in 2001 by President Bill Clinton, along a route explored by Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s. Cattle have continued to graze there under permits issued by the federal Bureau of Land Management.

But now an Idaho-based environmental group and two Fort Benton canoe guides say the cattle are marring the monument's recreational opportunities. On Nov. 20, they filed a federal lawsuit in Missoula challenging the grazing program.

Cattle producers say they're using the land responsibly and warn the litigation could drive them out of business.

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