Opposed, but not racist
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Editor,
It is unfortunate and inappropriate for Patrick Allen Pierre of Arlee to label those who oppose control of the National Bison Range by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe as being racist. The factual basis for my opposition is as follows:
1. Like the vast majority of Americans and Montanans, I oppose sale or transfer of Federal lands to anyone, period. (Unless they are declared surplus).
2. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not clearly explained what prompted their unprecedented decision to give away the NBR to the CSKT and how the public would benefit.
3. The CSKT received more than $23,000,000 in the early 1970s (equivalent to $105,000,000 in today’s currency) for land taken by the federal government that included the NBR. The NBR has been paid for by the public. In addition, millions of dollars worth of infrastructure, equipment and wildlife are included in the proposed transfer at no cost. Is this fair to US taxpayers?
4. Legislation proposed by the CSKT for management of the NBR is vague and incomplete. The term “public access” to the NBR is not defined, would be at Tribal discretion, and not guaranteed to be equivalent to that currently provided. Standards for maintaining infrastructure and environmental health of the NBR ecosystem are not addressed.
5. It has not been demonstrated how management of the NBR by the CSKT would be better, or even equivalent to historic USFWS management expertise.
6. Tribal management of the NBR means the public permanently gives up their right for input, control or redress of grievances concerning their property, a valuable Federal Wildlife Refuge.
For all those who value the benefit of having public lands remain public, it is only common sense to oppose the ill-advised transfer of the NBR to the CSKT.
Philip L. Barney
Polson
