The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Interior Department have made changes to the agreement sharing management of the National Bison Range in Montana.

The changes are aimed at addressing concerns raised by the public, said a tribal attorney. Local non-Indians and a national public interest group have raised objections to the annual funding agreement in which the tribe would handle management, biological programs, habitat management, fire programs and maintenance and visitor services at the refuge.

The changes address lobbying of Congress by the tribe, transfers of government employees, skill level of tribal employees, handling of accidents and performance of the tribe.

Get the Story:
Tribes amend Bison Range management proposal (The Missoulian 12/5)
CHANGES IN BISON RANGE DEAL; SIGNING DELAYED (PEER 12/2)

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:
Senator seeks delay to tribe's bison range contract (11/01)
Editorial: Let tribes control their own destinies (10/26)
Tribe's management at bison range protested (10/19)
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)