Bison range management issues debated
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PABLO — While the National Bison Range Restoration Legislation is in draft form, public opinions are being considered.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes invited the public to voice those opinions on Tuesday, July 12, concerning the possible transfer of the Bison Range to tribal management. More than 100 people from Kalispell to Missoula attended the event. Participants gathered in the theater at Salish Kootenai College to go over the draft legislation. CSKT Attorney Brian Upton clarified how the draft legislation got started. He said that earlier this year the U.S. Fish, and Wildlife Service asked if the tribe would be interested in managing the range; the tribal council was very interested.
“It’s a historic opportunity to reunite the tribes with the land and the bison,” he said.
The draft legislation outlines measures for continued bison conservation and required public access. The public moved into the lobby after the draft was outlined to discuss contentious issues directly with people that would be able to answer questions.
CSKT Fish Wildlife and Recreation Program Manager Tom Mc- Donald was one of the people answering questions and hearing concerns. He said many of the comments he received support tribal management of the range, and he talked to people that don’t support it.
He said the challenge was weeding out the valid comments from those that are racist with stereotypes depicting Indians as incompetent.
“We have a proven track record,” he said of the tribe’s management skills, sighting Mission Valley Power and other businesses, as well as tribal wilderness management.
Politically, he said republicans and democrats have been able to support the draft legislation for its bipartisan appeal in that it creates local control and allows a minority group to manage the resource.
People who oppose the transfer are worried about things like public access, weed management, and bison health.
Susan Reneau opposes the transfer, saying it takes the refuge out of the system.
“I oppose any special interest group taking over any public land,” she said. She feels the refuge was paid for by taxpayers and should remain under federal management.
People were also worried that the transfer could set a legal precedence to remove other lands from the refuge system. The draft legislation says that it is not precedent setting.
Tribal member Troy Felsman said that the United States government did pay the tribe for the land that is now the Bison Range and later compensated the tribe with payment that was at market value.
“It’s not about the money,” he said. “It’s about the illegal taking of land that is right in the heart of the reservation.”
Tribal Chairman Vernon Finley attended the meeting. He said one of the biggest concerns people have is the idea that the Bison Range will be closed to the public.
“That is not our intention,” he said, explaining that the draft legislation requires the refuge to remain open to the public.
People have also said that the U.S. government is giving away the range. Finley said the range will be placed in trust for the tribe to manage, and it will remain under federal ownership.
“This is about restoring it to its original owners to manage,” he said. The draft legislation is currently set up so that the tribe doesn’t receive any federal funding to run the range, Finley explained.
He said the tribe plans to create educational opportunities at the range.
“We want to educate folks about our method of operation and conservation and show people our perspective. Right now, you can’t imagine you are on a reservation at the range. It’s as if we had nothing to do with it. We want to share our rich cultural history. This is an opportunity to build an experience for visitors.”
Public comments were extended and continue to be collected and considered as the draft legislation goes through the revision process before being introduced to the legislature. More information including the draft legislation is available at BisonRangeWorking- Group.org.
