National Bison Range transfer moving ahead

PABLO, Mont. (AP) – The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are working to return the National Bison Range to tribal management.

About 150 people attended a meeting last week to get briefed on the proposal.

The bison range is currently managed as a National Wildlife Refuge by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It covers nearly 19,000 acres in the center of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

The refuge was established in 1908, when bison were in threat of extinction. The reservation land was removed from tribal control without the tribe’s consent.

Supporters say the animals are no longer in danger of extinction, while opponents say more research on the potential impact is needed.