LETTER: What's missing at the (...) Bison Range?

A few stories have been published in a couple of Montana newspapers saying that talks are underway to “transfer” the Bison Range from the National Wildlife Refuge System into a tribal “trust” status.

In that special position all things related to the 19,000-acre area would be decided by the tribal council — future tribal councils would make future decisions with equal anonymity and finality.

What is missing? You, me, and all other Americans — the current “owners” of the “National Bison Range.” And, the reason we are missing is that we haven’t been provided any definitive information about what is going on, why, and just what it will mean (cost?) in the future.

Even as you read this, there may be more closed door “negotiations” going on as we have heard that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are the ones actually drafting legislation to remove the “National” from the Bison Range.

Several organizations are trying to find out just what is going on, but they have been frustrated by lack of response, or a simple repeat of the statements made by the tribes that they are considering the possibilities. Our laws require that federal agencies prepare and circulate documents to the general public explaining major decisions that may impact their lives and the quality of the environment. Where are those documents (called environmental impact statements)? Well, they too, are missing.

Isn’t it time that we the people speak up and demand the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service comply with the law and tell Americans just what is going on and why?

As a past project leader for the National Bison Range from 1969 to 1977, I certainly think so. Let’s keep “National” in the Bison Range.

—Marvin Kaschke, Polson