Feds removing most bison from refuge

[nosmokes]

original-missoulian

CSKT leaders: Feds removing most bison from refuge

By VINCE DEVLIN of the Missoulian


Two-thirds of the bison at the National Bison Range will be removed and placed in other national wildlife refuges around the country, Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal authorities have been told.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week it was reducing staffing at the Moiese range from 17 full-time equivalent positions to 6.3.
Late last year, it abruptly canceled an annual funding agreement that allowed tribal employees to perform about half the jobs at the Bison Range.

In announcing the staffing changes, Dean Rundles, supervisor of national refuges in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, told the tribes the herd would be reduced from its traditional population of 300-plus animals to “about 100,” according to Clayton Matt.

Matt, head of the CSKT Natural Resources Department, on Friday questioned the Fish and Wildlife Service's commitment to the Bison Range in light of the reductions.

“They've called it the crown jewel of their system and said it's got to be protected,” Matt said during a meeting with the Missoulian's editorial board. “Then with the flip of a switch they do this with no public input, and blame it all on budget constraints.”
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complete article here

[Annces]

1. It is hard to understand this story

It sounds like budget cuts combined with inability to work with the tribal people who have a stake there.

[conscious evolution]

2. I like the idea of moving them around to other locations

Especially if its for the purpose of strengthening the genetic diversity of another herd or to reintroduce to areas where there are none.
The budget cutting and reneging on an agreements with the tribes(like that is anything new) is not a good thing.