A herd of bison move through land controlled by the American Prairie Reserve south of Malta, Mont., April 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Brown, File)

The U.S. Department of the Interior has revoked grazing permits in Phillips County, Mont. that American Prairie — a conservation nonprofit working to restore the prairie ecosystem of north-central Montana — used for its bison herd. The decision follows a lengthy battle with the Montana livestock industry, supported by Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Justice. The Montana Stockgrowers Association praised the move as a win for public lands ranching. American Prairie criticized the decision as arbitrary and unfair, emphasizing bison’s ecological importance. The Interior Department cited the Taylor Grazing Act, stating the bison were not managed for production purposes. American Prairie is considering a legal challenge.