A group of 23 national wildlife refuge managers is opposing tribal management of some duties at the National Bison Range in Montana.

The managers say the annual funding agreement between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is "unworkable." They say it is impossible to determine what the tribe will be doing at the refuge, how much the tribe will get paid and how the tribe's performance will be measured. They also raise concerns about how many refuge employees will be affected.

Under the agreement, the tribe is to cover five areas: management, biological programs, habitat management, fire programs and maintenance and visitor services. The government retains final authority.

The bison range is within reservation boundaries. Self-determination law recognizes a tribe's role in national parks, refuges and monuments.

Get the Story:
Wildlife Staff Protest Pact With Tribes (The Washington Post 10/19)
pwpwd
Refuge leaders call Bison Range tribal management plan flawed (The Missoulian 10/19)

Relevant Documents:
Refuge Managers Letter (October 8, 2004)

Relevant Links:
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - http://www.cskt.org
National Bison Range - http://bisonrange.fws.gov
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility - http://www.peer.org

Related Stories:
Tribe's management at bison range will save money (10/14)
Montana tribe takes questions on role at bison range (09/16)
Some still question tribal role at National Bison Range (09/10)
Montana tribe to manage some duties at bison range (9/8)
Group doesn't want tribe to manage bison refuge (07/21)
Agreement reached on bison range management (07/01)
Tribal bison range talks continue (10/9)
Talks on tribal takeover of bison range continue (09/08)
New York Times: Tribes can manage bison range (9/3)
Opposition attacks tribal takeover of bison range (9/2)
Tribal agreement on bison range not ready yet (08/04)
Report: Don't let tribes manage bison range (07/17)
Tribal takeover of bison range draws attention (07/08)
Talks on tribal takeover of bison range to continue (07/03)
DOI tribal contracting policy in dispute (6/16)
Group opposing tribal control of park units (6/10)
Tribal members defend takeover of bison range (6/4)
Group opposes tribal takeover of bison range (6/2)
Tribal takeover of bison range moving forward (05/20)
DOI wants Mont. tribe to manage bison range (5/16)