Go back to bargaining table
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Editor,
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Bison Range homepage provides the following mission statement for the Range: “The overall mission of the National Bison Range is to maintain a representative herd of bison, under reasonably natural conditions, to ensure the preservation of the species for continued public enjoyment.”
The draft bill for the transfer of the National Bison Range to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes contains the following language: “….all of those lands comprising the National Bison Range, including natural resources, interests and appurtenances, are hereby transferred to again be held by the United States in trust for the benefit of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Such lands shall be part of the Flathead Indian Reservation and administered under the laws and regulations applicable to Indian trust lands.”
Those two statements reflect the crux of the debate over whether or not management of the National Bison Range should be transferred from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. If transferred, the National Bison Range would be administered under the laws and regulations applicable to Indian trust lands for the benefit of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Montanans have overwhelmingly shown support for access to public lands by everyone. Governor Steve Bullock laid out his public lands and public access agenda by saying, “Public access to public lands is a fundamental part of what it means to be a Montanan.” United States House of Representatives candidates Ryan Zinke and Denise Juneau have both strongly advocated that the state of Montana and the United States retain ownership of public lands to ensure they are accessible to all. Juneau has written that she would never vote to transfer or sell off public lands.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes need to return to the bargaining table and reach a co-management agreement.
Gale Decker
Ronan
