It's the public's turn to study, comment

Editor,

Finally, a public comment period is available to the voters and taxpayers to comment upon a non-competitive annual funding agreement that, if approved, gives half of the jobs and half of the operating budget of the National Bison Range complex to a local government as the Bush administration continues its effort to privatize and commercialize public lands.

I appreciated the articles outlining the procedure for public comment and hope thousands of people from across the country submit comments in the next 90 days.

The National Bison Range complex is one of 544 national wildlife refuges that belong to all Americans.

Taxpayers paid twice for the land; once in 1908 for about $51,000, which was fair market value at that time; and again in 1971 when tribal members and the tribal government of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council received a federal government settlement of in excess of $70 million for a variety of lands that became the complex of refuges and nesting sites.

All taxpayers paid for the land and its upkeep, ongoing management and maintenance so it is fitting the public finally is allowed to comment. Too bad we were excluded from the entire process until now after an agreement had been reached in secret.

What happens at the National Bison Range complex will profoundly impact all 544 national refuges and how taxpayer money is spent. Between eight and 11 highly qualified workers will be displaced and lose their U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jobs, seniority and career benefits if they accept a temporary contract with the CSKT.

The public process has been late in coming so I hope taxpayers and sportsmen, who contribute all the money to national refuges, speak up, and I hope that Sen. Conrad Burns, Sen. Max Baucus and Rep. Denny Rehberg listen.

This isn't a "done deal."

Susan Campbell Reneau

Missoula