The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have asked for full control of the National Bison Range in Montana.

The tribes and the Interior Department signed an agreement to share duties at the 19,000-acre range on the Flathead Reservation. The tribes now want to assume complete management responsibility by 2010.

An Interior spokesperson said the department will consider the proposal, but only after personnel issues are resolved. Some federal employees claim tribal workers have created a hostile environment.

Get the Story:
Tribe seeks full management of National Bison Range (AP 11/22)
Federal government changing bison management (AP 11/22)

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

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