Moises, Mont. – The National Bison Range – one of the nation’s most successful wildlife refuges – has become a battleground between a federal agency and the local Indian tribe.
The range was created in 1908 by President Teddy Roosevelt as one of the first preserves with a mission to save an animal from extinction.
Today, the refuge, 45 miles north of Missoula, keeps about 350 animals and ships excess animals to other refuges such as the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, where 16 bison arrived Saturday.
A management issue, however, has landed the bison range in a political struggle.
“The future of the bison range remains clouded and in doubt,” said Matt Kales, spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Two years ago, the federal government began allowing the tribe to take over management of some of the bison range based on the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975, which allows tribes to participate in federal programs.
The move led to allegations the Bush administration is trying to privatize the public land by handing it over to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation.
About 10 tribal members replaced Fish and Wildlife Service workers, doing maintenance and animal care.
Fish and Wildlife personnel began complaining that bison weren’t being fed and roads and fences weren’t being maintained, according to the federal workers.
In September, Fish and Wildlife staff filed grievances, saying work conditions were intolerable and complained about harassment, safety violations and “personal slander.”
In December, Fish and Wildlife Service workers say, 64 bison being held in a corral weren’t being adequately fed.
These animals included the animals that were to be sent to Colorado, said Steve Kallin, project manager at the National Bison Range.
The feeding problem was the last straw, Kallin said, and the Fish and Wildlife Service canceled the tribe’s contract – angering tribal leaders and frustrating Interior Department officials who oversee the Fish and Wildlife Service.
However, Interior Department officials reversed the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to end the contract and are negotiating with the tribe to seek a solution.
Staff writer Jeremy P. Meyer may be reached at 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
