Tribes host meeting on proposed transfer

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes invite the public to a meeting at Johnny Arlee and Victor Charlo Theatre on July 12, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., concerning the Tribes’ draft legislation titled “National Bison Range Transfer and Restoration Act of 2016.” The draft legislation would: restore the National Bison Range to federal trust ownership for the Tribes; require continued bison and wildlife conservation; and require continued public access.

At the meeting, Tribal attorneys will present and explain the draft legislation. After the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, submit public comments, and speak with Tribal Natural Resources Department and legal staff. 

The theatre is located at 58138 Highway 93, Pablo. It is on the Salish Kootenai College campus on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The Tribes have invited representatives of Senator Jon Tester, Senator Steve Daines, and Congressman Ryan Zinke to attend the meeting.

The Tribes’ draft legislation, along with frequently asked questions and public comment forms, can be found on the Tribes’ Bison Range Working Group website at: bisonrangeworkinggroup.org.  Public comments are accepted through this website.

The public comment period has been extended to July 15 at noon. At that point, comments will be reviewed and evaluated for any proposed revisions to the draft legislation.  The Tribes will post a summary of the comments, along with responses to questions, to the working group website.