The National Park Service plans to reduce the number of bison near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. This process involves lethal and nonlethal methods.

The National Park Service released a draft plan Tuesday. The plan outlines the non-lethal capture and removal of bison as well as lethal culling by trained volunteers. Grand Canyon spokeswoman Emily Davis says the bison have created an unhealthy ecosystem.

“Some of the reasons the National Park Service and its collaborators are looking to reduce the herd have to do with increased impacts on park resources, like water, vegetation, soils and archaeological sites and on values such as visitor experience and wilderness character," Davis said.

Park officials expect to start the process as early as this summer.

The goal is to bring Grand Canyon bison numbers from 400 to 600 to fewer than 200 over the next few years. The National Park Service is accepting public comment on the issue through June 7.

For more information or to weigh in on the issue, visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov.