Talks resume for tribal contract at bison range

Thursday, January 24, 2008  

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes met with federal officials last week to discuss management at the National Bison Range in Montana.

The tribe was managing some functions at the range but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service abruptly pulled the contract. Concerns were raised about the tribe's performance and relations with federal employees.

But top Interior Department officials called for a renewed agreement. The two sides met January 16 and 17, The Missoula Independent reports.

The 17,000-acre National Bison Range is located entirely within the Flathead Reservation. Its herd descends from animals that were raised by tribal members.

Get the Story:
Talks with tribes restarted (The Missoula Independent 1/24)

OIG Report:
National Bison Range (November 2007)

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:
DOI OIG posts report on National Bison Range (12/13)
DOI resumes negotiations over Montana bison range (12/6)
Cason optimistic on tribal contract for bison range (11/09)
House Resources hearing on self-governance bill (11/8)
DOI cutting herd, staff at National Bison Range (4/12)
NPR: Tribal management at bison range in Montana (03/05)
Tribe's role at bison range faces numerous probes (02/13)
Top DOI officials visit Bison Range in Montana (1/24)
Montana tribe hopes for new bison agreement (01/03)