A Bridger-Teton National Forest decision to continue state-run feedgrounds around Jackson Hole puts Wyoming, Montana and Idaho at increased risk of transmitting brucellosis to livestock, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer says.

In a letter July 18 to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, Schweitzer said he was disappointed with Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton’s decision to continue to allow the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to feed elk on five feedgrounds, three of which are in the Gros Ventre drainage near Jackson.

Cattle in Montana’s Paradise Valley and in Pinedale southeast of Jackson have recently tested positive for brucellosis. In the letter, Schweitzer said evidence points to elk-to-cattle transmission of the disease, a bacterial infection that causes elk, cattle and bison to abort their fetuses. In humans, brucellosis causes undulant fever.

“Despite long-standing acknowledgement of the problem, it now appears that Wyoming Game and Fish and the USDA are the only two entities who believe these feedgrounds are not a major contributing factor to the Greater Yellowstone Area being the last remaining reservoir for brucellosis in the nation,” Schweitzer said in the letter.

“Montana had done everything in its power to prevent the transmission of brucellosis to its cattle herd,” he said. “Meanwhile, USDA has insisted upon application of antiquated herd-to-herd regulations for disease transmission in cattle that have nothing to do with transmission from wildlife. As a result, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming at best continue to experience a yo-yo effect with respect to brucellosis status. At worst, the net effect is a permanent loss of status.”

The USDA puts restrictions on cattle operations in states that have lost their brucellosis-free status.

Schweitzer said inconsistent policies among federal agencies continue to confound efforts to eradicate brucellosis in the three states.

“The Forest Service has taken a firm step to continue franchising the feeding of elk, while [USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services] continues to employ outdated, inapplicable and heavy-handed regulations, and threatens the state with loss of its brucellosis status.”

Schweitzer said the feedground decision could lead him to opt out of signing the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee memorandum of understanding.

“I am questioning the wisdom of signing this document, when it has not been demonstrated to me that all parties are truly committed to finding realistic solutions,” he said.

Louise Lasley, public lands director for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, said she, too, feels there is a “disconnect” in the federal government on brucellosis.

“I applaud Governor Schweitzer for his stance on brucellosis in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana,” she said. “It definitely falls in line with the alliance’s position that feedgrounds should be phased out and they only exacerbate the problem of disease.”

In a decision earlier this month, Hamilton reauthorized the Dog Creek, Fall Creek, Fish Creek, Muddy Creek and Upper Green feedgrounds for the next 20 years. Hamilton refused several additions to feedgrounds requested by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and held off on a decision for the 105-acre Alkali Creek feedground, which isn’t due for reauthorization until 2011.

Bridger-Teton National Forest officials declined to comment on the letter.