Several investigations are pending into the management role shared by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes at the National Bison Range in Montana. The tribes were in charge of several duties at the range under a self-governance agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But the agreement is on hold pending resolution of management issues and several investigations. According to The New York Times, the Government Accountability Office, the House Resources Committee, and the Inspector General and the Office of Equal Opportunity at the Interior Department are looking into the matter. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Montana) asked the GAO and the House to determine whether political appointees at Interior pressured FWS to enter into the agreement. Get the Story:
Sharing of Bison Range Management Breaks Down (The New York Times 2/13)
pwnyt Evaluation Report:
Implementation of the Annual Funding Agreement (May 2006) 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:
Top DOI officials visit Bison Range in Montana (1/24)
Montana tribe hopes for new bison agreement (01/03)
Montana tribe to fight for bison range contract (12/13)
DOI cancels tribe's contract for National Bison Range (12/12)
Montana tribe seeks full control of bison range (11/22)
Bison Range employees complain about tribe (10/19)
Report looks at tribal bison range management (07/31)
Hearing planned on tribe's bison range agreement (03/17)
Bison range agreement affects six federal employees (02/09)
Tribal refuge agreement hailed as positive step (12/16)
Montana tribe to sign wildlife refuge agreement (12/15)
Burns holds 'veto' over bison range agreement (12/15)
Changes proposed in tribe's role at bison range (12/06)
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)
Campbell warns BIA's Anderson of 'Washington' attitude (05/13)
Alaska tribes sign agreement for refuge services (05/03)
Campbell says agencies afraid of helping tribes (04/30)
Campbell bill to address contract support costs (4/28)
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)
