Montana's Wildlife Agency and Governor Operate Outside Of the Law

[bearpaw]

LOBO WATCH
Sportsmen Taking Charge of Predator Problems 
Editorial News/Press Release
April 19, 2012

Montana's Wildlife Agency and Governor Operate Outside Of the Law

   Now, that's a pretty strong statement to be openly making about Governor Brian Schweitzer and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  Perhaps, but that elected official and the state fish and wildlife agency he literally rules have just as openly ignored state legislation mandating procedures the agency must take, or how, under Schweitzer, MT FWP has totally violated the mission they are supposed to fulfill, as outlined by law in the Montana State Constitution. 

   The most recent violation of enacted state legislation involves the moving of Yellowstone bison onto the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation, in the northeastern corner of the state.

   During the 62nd Legislature, in April of last year, a bill known as SB212 was signed into law.  The purpose of that legislation was to establish  "An Act Clarifying The Authority Of The Department Of Fish, Wildlife And Parks To Manage Wild Buffalo Or Bison".   One of the very first requirements of that legislation clearly mandated MT FWP to submit a management plan before wild buffalo or bison were released or transplanted onto private or public land.

   State Senator Greg Hinkle (R-SD 7), Thompson Falls, MT has stated, "We passed SB212 last session requiring FWP to have a Management Plan and an Environmental Impact Statement before any bison were transported in the state. They went ahead, over a weekend, and transported bison to Fort Peck without obeying the law. In my view, in direct defiance of the mandates from the legislature." 

   MT FWP covertly transported those bison from the Yellowstone area to the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation in late March.  And that has not set well with the Montana legislators who drafted SB212, which passed into law with a 91 to 8 vote.  The illegal moving of those buffalo has also upset those with the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

   In a MSGA release on March 21, executive vice president Errol Rice stated,  “MSGA is disappointed to learn of a deal being signed between Fort Peck and the state of Montana for the relocation of bison without any of the concerned parties having the opportunity to review the agreement before action was taken."

   Rice pointed out that bison management and bison relocation is a top priority for MSGA, adding "During the 2011 Montana Legislature, we worked hard to ensure the passage of SB 212, which requires FWP to adopt a management plan before bison are translocated anywhere in the state of Montana. MSGA members also passed policy in 2011 declaring that MSGA opposes bison relocation, but should the state decide to proceed with a relocation proposal, it should adequately reflect the intent of SB 212.  It is unfortunate that this deal was done without the opportunity for more local input and due process. We have requested a draft of the agreement signed from the state of Montana to review on behalf of the ranching community, especially to ensure that all elements of SB 212 were addressed and disease monitoring protocol are followed."

   State Representative Wayne Stahl (R - HD35), Saco, MT is calling for Schweitzer's impeachment, accusing the governor and other officials of intentionally and knowingly breaking Montana law.  In order for that to happen, the Legislature would have to call a special session, requiring a majority vote to put the governor on trial by the 67 members of the House.

   "He is really not caring whether he breaks the law or not," claims Stahl.  He points out that Schweitzer, in a nonchalant manner, intentionally ignored the law which he had signed into being law.   He asks, "What's next?"

   Many Montanans have repeatedly accused Governor Schweitzer and upper management at Fish, Wildlife and Parks, along with a few members of the FWP Commission, of violating state law with the manner in which they have handled the wolf issue.  With wildlife populations in much of the western half of the state in shambles, due to excessive predator numbers, especially wolves, MT FWP and the FWP Commission have been accused of lying about the true number of wolves in this state.  Even though once great elk herds, such as the Northern Yellowstone herd and the West Fork of the Bitterroot herd, along with most others up and down the west side of Montana have been pulled down by as much as 80-percent, FWP has basically called the sportsmen who speak out against the loss "liars" by falsely reporting much higher populations.  The agency has also tried to shift much of the blame on mountain lions and bears - and even global warming. 

   Residents of this state know better.  They have witnessed firsthand the dramatic rise in wolf numbers, and the dramatic loss of the past 75 years of wildlife conservation.  They've also felt the loss of hunting opportunities, even though the Montana State Constitution guarantees that FWP's mission is to insure an abundance of wildlife and quality hunting.  Montana's hunters and wildlife watchers are fully aware that the real cause of all this loss is due to excessive wolf numbers, with a real wolf population of "at least" 2,000.  FWP is currently claiming an "at least" wolf population of just 653 - and that the state's elk herds are "at objective".

   Montana State Senator Debby Barrett, (R - SD36), Dillon, MT points out that MT FWP has operated in violation of state law for quite a while, by not fulfilling its obligation as mandated by the State Constitution and State Legislation.   On several occasions, while testifying in front of the state's Environmental Quality Council, she has openly accused the agency of also violating its own policies.

   Barrett shares, "The Montana Elk Management Plan and the Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan,  for instance, were designed by the agency's own biologists and passed through the Montana Environmental Policy Act. "

   Even so, she says that FWP Director Joe Maurier claims that the agency cannot implement these plans - due to lack of funding.  Still, earlier this year FWP chose to give across the board pay raises for FWP employees, with some fairly lavish jumps in salary for top level supervisors.  FWP chose to do so over mandated commitments, such as adequate wolf control.

   She adds, "Legislators had the foresight to actually get certain portions of those Wildlife Management Plans codified into law.  The agency must comply with state law - whether funded or not." 

   Debby Barrett feels that the only way this issue will ever be resolved is for a major lawsuit to be filed against MT FWP.  In Montana, the state's fish and wildlife agency answers directly to the governor.  For MT FWP to operate in violation of State Legislation and the State Constitution means that their actions, or lack of appropriate actions, have had Brian Schweitzer's seal of approval.

   All of this has openly taken place with the state's Attorney General, Steve Bullock, turning a blind eye away from all of the corruption.  Now, he's running on the Democratic ticket to replace Schweitzer as Governor of Montana.  Many Montana residents are now wondering, if Bullock is elected, will the wolf nightmare continue?

Toby Bridges, LOBO WATCH 

[PlateauNDN]

LOBO WATCH
Sportsmen Taking Charge of Predator Problems 
Editorial News/Press Release
April 19, 2012

Montana's Wildlife Agency and Governor Operate Outside Of the Law

   Now, that's a pretty strong statement to be openly making about Governor Brian Schweitzer and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  Perhaps, but that elected official and the state fish and wildlife agency he literally rules have just as openly ignored state legislation mandating procedures the agency must take, or how, under Schweitzer, MT FWP has totally violated the mission they are supposed to fulfill, as outlined by law in the Montana State Constitution. 

   The most recent violation of enacted state legislation involves the moving of Yellowstone bison onto the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation, in the northeastern corner of the state.

   During the 62nd Legislature, in April of last year, a bill known as SB212 was signed into law.  The purpose of that legislation was to establish  "An Act Clarifying The Authority Of The Department Of Fish, Wildlife And Parks To Manage Wild Buffalo Or Bison".   One of the very first requirements of that legislation clearly mandated MT FWP to submit a management plan before wild buffalo or bison were released or transplanted onto private or public land.

   State Senator Greg Hinkle (R-SD 7), Thompson Falls, MT has stated, "We passed SB212 last session requiring FWP to have a Management Plan and an Environmental Impact Statement before any bison were transported in the state. They went ahead, over a weekend, and transported bison to Fort Peck without obeying the law. In my view, in direct defiance of the mandates from the legislature." 

   MT FWP covertly transported those bison from the Yellowstone area to the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation in late March.  And that has not set well with the Montana legislators who drafted SB212, which passed into law with a 91 to 8 vote.  The illegal moving of those buffalo has also upset those with the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

   In a MSGA release on March 21, executive vice president Errol Rice stated,  “MSGA is disappointed to learn of a deal being signed between Fort Peck and the state of Montana for the relocation of bison without any of the concerned parties having the opportunity to review the agreement before action was taken."

   Rice pointed out that bison management and bison relocation is a top priority for MSGA, adding "During the 2011 Montana Legislature, we worked hard to ensure the passage of SB 212, which requires FWP to adopt a management plan before bison are translocated anywhere in the state of Montana. MSGA members also passed policy in 2011 declaring that MSGA opposes bison relocation, but should the state decide to proceed with a relocation proposal, it should adequately reflect the intent of SB 212.  It is unfortunate that this deal was done without the opportunity for more local input and due process. We have requested a draft of the agreement signed from the state of Montana to review on behalf of the ranching community, especially to ensure that all elements of SB 212 were addressed and disease monitoring protocol are followed."

   State Representative Wayne Stahl (R - HD35), Saco, MT is calling for Schweitzer's impeachment, accusing the governor and other officials of intentionally and knowingly breaking Montana law.  In order for that to happen, the Legislature would have to call a special session, requiring a majority vote to put the governor on trial by the 67 members of the House.

   "He is really not caring whether he breaks the law or not," claims Stahl.  He points out that Schweitzer, in a nonchalant manner, intentionally ignored the law which he had signed into being law.   He asks, "What's next?"

Toby Bridges, LOBO WATCH

Wow, talk about not having all the facts and being one-sided.  The talks and discussion in regards to the buffalo had been in the works for 8 or 9 years I believe and he reports it as if it just all of a sudden occurred and happened.  The agreement between the State and the Tribe had to be approved by either side and final approval had to go through the Department of the Interior which is head of B.I.A. and all the Tribes.  According to reports the vote was unanimous for the agreement because it placed all responsibility out of the States hands and solely on the hand of the Tribe itself.  therefore ruling SB212 null because the State has no authority over the bison and are not the ones managing them.

The rest of this report is interesting though, I just don't agree with the first part.

[Skyvalhunter]

It seems that most of the hunting community is not in approval of the administration atleast according to this article. I have put in for the Bison hunt on and off for years.

[pianoman9701]

Two different issues here: Bison for the Indian reservation and whether or not the state government followed protocol in moving the animals.

Regardless of the number of years this has been in planning, if they didn't dot all of the Is and cross all of the Ts, they have a problem. According to the article, they didn't. No matter how good the idea is or how good some people think it is, if they didn't follow the letter of the law, they're assuming powers that aren't granted them by the people. That's an abuse of power and abuses of power should always be addressed. As we've seen on the Federal level in the present executive administration, allowing abuses of power is a message to the abuser: continue on, no one will oppose you. And, they will.

[PlateauNDN]

I partially agree with you piano, if they violated legislation then yes they're guilty.  But,

LOBO WATCH
Sportsmen Taking Charge of Predator Problems 
Editorial News/Press Release
April 19, 2012

Montana's Wildlife Agency and Governor Operate Outside Of the Law

   Now, that's a pretty strong statement to be openly making about Governor Brian Schweitzer and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  Perhaps, but that elected official and the state fish and wildlife agency he literally rules have just as openly ignored state legislation mandating procedures the agency must take, or how, under Schweitzer, MT FWP has totally violated the mission they are supposed to fulfill, as outlined by law in the Montana State Constitution. 

   The most recent violation of enacted state legislation involves the moving of Yellowstone bison onto the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation, in the northeastern corner of the state.

   During the 62nd Legislature, in April of last year, a bill known as SB212 was signed into law.  The purpose of that legislation was to establish  "An Act Clarifying The Authority Of The Department Of Fish, Wildlife And Parks To Manage Wild Buffalo Or Bison".   One of the very first requirements of that legislation clearly mandated MT FWP to submit a management plan before wild buffalo or bison were released or transplanted onto private or public land. It's Trust land, outside the jurisdiction of the State.

   State Senator Greg Hinkle (R-SD 7), Thompson Falls, MT has stated, "We passed SB212 last session requiring FWP to have a Management Plan and an Environmental Impact Statement before any bison were transported in the state. They went ahead, over a weekend, and transported bison to Fort Peck without obeying the law. In my view, in direct defiance of the mandates from the legislature."  They are not managing the bison, the Tribe itself is managing the Bison along with other Bison they already have on THEIR LAND, outside the jurisdiction of the State.

   MT FWP covertly transported those bison from the Yellowstone area to the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation in late March.  And that has not set well with the Montana legislators who drafted SB212, which passed into law with a 91 to 8 vote.  The illegal moving of those buffalo has also upset those with the Montana Stockgrowers Association. Covertly?  They announced they would be moving them ASAP at the public forum weeks before they actually moved them.

   In a MSGA release on March 21, executive vice president Errol Rice stated,  “MSGA is disappointed to learn of a deal being signed between Fort Peck and the state of Montana for the relocation of bison without any of the concerned parties having the opportunity to review the agreement before action was taken."  They had many public forums for the communities to voice their concern or comments prior to the agreement even being signed.

   Rice pointed out that bison management and bison relocation is a top priority for MSGA, adding "During the 2011 Montana Legislature, we worked hard to ensure the passage of SB 212, which requires FWP to adopt a management plan before bison are translocated anywhere in the state of Montana. MSGA members also passed policy in 2011 declaring that MSGA opposes bison relocation, but should the state decide to proceed with a relocation proposal, it should adequately reflect the intent of SB 212.  It is unfortunate that this deal was done without the opportunity for more local input and due process. We have requested a draft of the agreement signed from the state of Montana to review on behalf of the ranching community, especially to ensure that all elements of SB 212 were addressed and disease monitoring protocol are followed."

   State Representative Wayne Stahl (R - HD35), Saco, MT is calling for Schweitzer's impeachment, accusing the governor and other officials of intentionally and knowingly breaking Montana law.  In order for that to happen, the Legislature would have to call a special session, requiring a majority vote to put the governor on trial by the 67 members of the House.

   "He is really not caring whether he breaks the law or not," claims Stahl.  He points out that Schweitzer, in a nonchalant manner, intentionally ignored the law which he had signed into being law.   He asks, "What's next?"

Toby Bridges, LOBO WATCH

More one-sided reporting.

[PlateauNDN]

Here's some info. from the other side.

December 15, 2011


Hello to all of the enrolled members of the Fort Peck Tribes, I am Chairman Floyd G. Azure with an update on your government actions for this week. We got all of the paper work done so that we can move forward with our precapita payment of $225.00 for this year, so it is going to happen on schedule on the 13th of December.

My week at the office was cut short and I was only in the office for three days this week. I had to travel to Helena Montana starting Thursday morning because I had a meeting with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks on Friday morning, so Thursday was a travel day. While I was at the meeting there were alot of people that were there to speak for and against the moving of the Yellowstone Bison to the Fort Peck and Fort Belknap Reservations.

There were more people for moving of the Bison to the reservations then against the move. I thought the meeting on the Bison was going to be first thing in the morning but it seems that most of the people that attended were more worried about what was going to happen with the elk hunting season because that took the entire morning. The issue with the bison only lasted about forty five minutes.

When it started the chairman asked for a motion for the action and a motion was made by our previous Chairman of the Fort Peck Tribes Rusty Stafne for the move. Rusty Stafne was appointed to the commission by Govenor Brian Schweitzer during Rusty's previous administration. The motion was seconded by Director Joe Mauier. When the Commissioner Chairman asked for discussion I asked him if it was alright if he allowed me to speak last so that I would be able to answer any questions. I was given permission to speak last which was a great advantage for me to do it this way. Most of the discussion was about how the Fort Belknap Tribe was not being responsible for their present herd of bison.

No one was there to speak directly against the Fort Peck Tribes but the feeling in the room was that these people that were speaking against the move were against it going to either tribe. I felt that they were saying that if they went to either of the tribes that there would be no control what so ever of the bison. When everyone was done I got to make my presentation and I told them how we have prepared for the bison, with all the work we had done to a range unit that was previously for cattle and how we had upgraded it so that it would be adequate for the bison herd. I also made my case for the bison with how much these animals had played a part in our survival, our religion, our culture, and our history. I also stated that we are willing to care for the bison by making sure that they will survive into the future for our children and our tribal members to utilize as our ancestors did.

I used Stoney Anketel's statement because I liked it and it is exactly how I feel "these majestic animals have sustained our people for thousands of years and it is time for us to pay them back." When I was done with my presentation I asked if there were any questions and the only question was who was responsible for damages it the bison got out and I stated that as long as I am Chairman we the Fort Peck Tribes are responsible for the bison. The commissioners had some more discussion on the way the agreement would be and that before it was implemented that they would have the chance to review the agreement and make sure it is what they want. The chairman then asked for the vote and it passed unanimously, so it looks like my trip was not in vain. We are going to get our bison soon, I have to thank Chairman Rusty Stafne for the part that he played in us getting this passed at the state level, he did a great job in helping this move forward. Thank you Rusty, and thanks to all the enrolled members for letting me represent you for this historic event.

Thank you from Chairman Floyd G. Azure.

March 26, 2012

Hello to all of the enrolled members of the Fort Peck Tribes, this is Floyd G. Azure Chairman of the Fort Peck Tribes, this has been a very exciting week for the Fort Peck Tribes as we have received a small herd of genetically pure Yellowstone Bison from the state of Montana. It has been a very long road in getting to where these Bison are finally on their original homeland where they had roamed for thousands of years and where our ancestors hunted them for those thousands of years. This has been a mission by Tribal Executive Board and our Fish and Game Department have been trying to accomplish with the State of Montana for over five years. This just didn't happen over night as the Senator John Brendan, Senator Rick Ripley and the opponents of this Bison transfer have stated. They have also made statements that our other bison herd that we have here at home have been basically doing what ever they want to do without any supervision from the Fort Peck Tribes. They have absolutely no facts to back this up, and I would like them to provide the evidence that this has been happening regularly as they have stated. They also don't have any facts to back up their accusations that these bison are the ones that have been transferring brucellosis to the cattle herds here in Montana. Where the cases of brucellosis have been recorded in the cattle herds there were no bison around them, and the cases that were resolved were reported to have been caused by elk. The only reason that they are not blaming the elk is because they make alot of money on them by allowing the rich out of state hunters to hunt these elk on their land.
They are also in fear that eventually these bison will be found in all the federal and state public lands and they won't be able to get the public land dirt cheap for their cattle like they are now. These negotiations to have these bison moved to our reservation has been a very long process in that we have had community hearing, numerous meetings with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks officials, and hearings in Helena. The last hearing I went to was in Helena and in that hearing we were to have an MOU between the Fort Peck Tribes and the State of Montana that would protect everyone during the duration of the MOU. We had alot of meetings and conference calls between Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, the Governor, and our attorneys until both parties were satisfied with our agreement. So on the 16th of March we finally agreed to the MOU and I signed it and sent it off to the Governor to sign. The Governor and I both knew that in order for this transfer to take place we had a very narrow window in which to transport these bison. The reason being is that these bison are about to have their calves, and if we moved them any later we might have caused them to abort their calves. If we waited until after they had their calves there would have been a chance that some of these calves would have died of stress in transportation.

I also have to comment on Senator Brendan's comment that he made when he was being interviewed on the radio talk show 'Voices of Montana,' in which he insinuates that if any of our bison get out of their range unit that they will not get very far. I take that as a threat aimed at the Fort Peck Tribes, he is suppose to be a person of high integrity and be a person that represents the state of Montana. I don't think that we as citizens of the state of Montana definitely do not need people like this that are making very important decisions for us in our state legislature. Representatives like that are the ones that cause a divide in the people of Montana, and when the people are divided and not working together we get nothing done. Working together is what creates great nations and societies, that is how this nation was formed and how it will stay a great nation.

April 9, 2012

Hello to all of the enrolled members of the Fort Peck Tribes, I am Chairman Floyd G. Azure with an update of the recent happenings with your tribal government. This past week has been a very exceptional week in that we had another meeting the Governor of the state of Montana Brian
 Schweitzer. We had this meeting with personnel from the Department of Interior where we had an outing up at the new range unit that contained the newly acquired Yellowstone Bison. When we got to the range unit there were about seven protestors and only one of them had land on our reservation her name is Linda Prescott. The first thing that we did was take the personnel from the D.O.I. over to the pen enclosure of the Yellowstone Bison and showed them that we are serious about keeping these bison on our reservation and that we are very capable of taking care of these bison. Then when we were finished with that the Governor decided that we should go over and see the bison protesters. When we first arrived at the bison range there were about seven protestors at the site, the one we first encountered was Linda Prescott whose family has owned the tract of land that is right next to corrals that we have the Yellowstone Bison in.

The Governor and her were discussing her concerns over the transporting of these bison to our reservation and that she was very concerned about
 them getting out of the containment area. That is when I interrupted and asked her " how long have you owned this land that is here?" She stated that it has been in her family for years and that is when I had asked her " How long have you been farming this land?" She stated that they have been farming it since they had owned it. That is when I asked her if there has ever been a bison in her wheat field?" She said no! I told that in that case she doesn't have an argument to that fact because this field has been thirty yards from our business buffalo herd since it was established and that she had just stated that there was never a bison in her field. She said that she had heard that they were out from Senator John Brenden from Scobey. That is when I said that he was a liar and that I don't go on hearsay and that she has to produce the facts for her accusations that the bison have never been out destroying her property. The discussion continued with the Governor explaining to them about brucellosis and how it is transmitted between the animals and that there has not been a reported case of Bison transferring brucellosis to cattle but that it has been transferred from elk to cattle.

That is when Ric Holden insinuated that we did not know how to manage our bison, I was very offended by that statement because basically he felt that he could talk down to us right in the middle of our reservation own our land and right in front of me like I wasn't even there. I told him that I resented that statement and that he isn't even from around here and doesn't know what he is talking about. He stated that John Brenden had told him that. I told him that he (John Brenden) is the biggest liar they have got backing them and that this is just racism. He told me that he resented that statement and that he was a quarter Chippewa. I told that I was also a quarter Chippewa and that I was still able to call a spade a spade! This person is Ric Holden is from the Glendive area and I have dealt with him before when he was an Insurance
 Adjustor for Farmers Group Insurance Company and at that time he adjusted for Squires Insurance in Wolf Point Montana. He treated the Native
 Americans alot different then the Non Native Americans, and I had an incident with him and threw him out of my shop and told him never to cross my threshold again and to take his business with him. He was also a Republican Senator out of Glendive but I don't know how long he had served
 on the Senate. When we were done there we took the Governor and the D.O.I. to the range unit that the bison were going to be kept in which is further south then the containment area. There we showed them the solar powered water wells, the new fenceing, and the newly aquired 320 acre tract of land which increases the range unit to over 5000 acres of land. In all it was a very good day with the bison the Governor, and the D.O.I.


These are excerpts from the Chairmans Report for the Tribe in Question.

[bearpaw]

I think the question is whether or not MT state law was violated. This is how wolves ended up in Idaho, a state employee (IDFG Director) violated Idaho law and signed a permit for the USFWS to release wolves after the Idaho legislature had voted against wolves. The wolves were released before it could be stopped and the rest is history on that topic.

I would think a lot of people would support bison being moved within MT if it was done legally and the bison were checked for disease since there is disease in the YNP bison herd. I don't claim to know all the issues on this topic, but it sounds like there may have been some violations of state law. I certainly thought this was an interesting topic.

[Elkaholic daWg]

 As did I.........


http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=94641.0

[TWG2A]

Schweitzer and his group did, in fact, violate Montana State law on this issue.  We, The People of Montana, attempted to give our views on this, only to be shut out by FWP and Schweitzers office.  They had no interest in listening to anything the opposition had to say on the matter and they kept their meetings closed to us. That, my Friends, violates State Law here in Montana.

Here's an email sent to me from a Friend who was very involved in this issue.  I'll find more, but this should give you an idea of what we've had to deal with here. Schweitzer and Salazar have done nothing but spit in our faces since this issue started.  He acts as though he's our ruler, and not our representative. They guy should be wearing a cape and crown.

"Alan and I went to Fort Peck yesterday  to Stand United with fellow Montana citizens.  Our mission was to take advantage of an opportunity to seek answers from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and Secretary Salazar on the relocation of Yellowstone Bison here in Montana.   We left at 4:30 AM and got back home at 3:30 this morning.   It will take me some time to get a little rest and listen to the audio recording to give an in depth report, but felt it important to get a short summary to everyone now.
 
Secretary Salazar reportedly was on tour in North Dakota in the Oil Field and did not appear at the Bison Containment area.  Governor Schweitzer and his fans/security arrived about 1:00PM.    His group included a significant number of Fort Peck police, including Tribal Fish & Game officers.  There was included in the group a representative from the Interior Department and the USFWS.  However, none of these representatives spoke or would engage in the discussion.  The Tribal Chairman of the local Reservation was in attendance as well.  Representatives of the Governor in part included his lap dog Resource Advisor Mike Voleski who was very rude and confrontational with the people asking questions.
 
Land Owner Linda Prescott graciously hosted fellow patriots that made the trip and we all need to thank her for her courage and resolve,  to stand up to the government for her rights.  From the very beginning, the Tribal F&G officer on duty, was on defense, and made every attempt to deny us the right to gather at the site.   He advised us we were not authorized to be on Tribal lands. We made a very distinct attempt to advise him that we were not on Tribal lands, but rather we were on Private fee title lands.    Our host advised him that we were on her property, but he was not willing to listen to anyone.  It became obvious very early, that he was taking orders from a higher LE authority.  We eventually temporarily resolved this issue through the use of GPS mapping where we were able to show the boundary
(+ or –  3 ft ) between the Tribal Lands and the other Private Property is clear.   (I will be downloading the GPS information that I recorded and will provide that to the landowner)  Even after that, the friction and conflict over land ownership with Tribal authorities will be an ongoing point of contradiction.  Representing the other private property interests, included the landowner, mentioned here and 7 other citizens from different parts of Montana.  We also had a reporter from Glasgow Montana representing the local paper there.  Our friend from the Northern News Network arrived a little late.  It was learned that she was detained and interrogated by the Tribal authority who refused to allow her to drive the half mile to the containment area.  The LE authority eventually gave her a ride.   
 
The Governor walked to the containment area and we were not allowed to go along, so we are unaware of what was said during this bison viewing and discussion.  The Governor did return to our staging area and did engage in discussion.  Our landowner/host opened the discussion with some very pointed questions to the governor regarding accountability.  A tremendous amount of her concern over who is accountable for the containment and is there a protection clause in the MOU to protect these other property owners from any negative impacts caused by the bison.  Another Landowner specifically questioned the containment ability and brucellosis concerns.  The Governor was asked to respond to the injunction, but quickly dodged the question even after several attempts to hold him accountable.  Ultimately, in regards to the authority of the State of Montana, he placed all accountability for the translocation program to the director of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.  Then when asked again, the responsibility was shifted to the federal animal control agency under the Interior Department.
 
The Governor made several different attempts to pacify the citizens with reassurances that the MOU and plan was solid.  In his many attempts, I can easily summarize his tactics here in 3 words:  “Manipulate”  “Distort” and “Control.”  The Governor is a well oiled machine when it comes to passing the responsibility for his actions and he was practicing in full color here.  Depending on the question, he easily alternated between identifying the bison as livestock and wildlife without missing a beat.  The Governor made alternate claims that the bison are owned by the state of Montana and then quickly would relinquish all responsibility of the bison to the Tribal authorities.
 
It was clear that the Governor was angry with us challenging his legacy program.  His parting look in the “Contempt” picture says it all.
 
Included are a couple of pictures that I took and will share more as I get a chance to identify those that are relevant or perhaps at least interesting.  There were a few derogatory posters displayed, and for some reason I failed to take a picture of them before leaving.  Attached are the two signs that we displayed at the staging area."

[blackdog]

I'm curious if Washington State law was violated when those speed goats were imported into Washington without the support of the Governor of Washington or the Department of Fish and Wildlife?   Kind of a reverse of the thread topic.

[pianoman9701]

There are supposed to be all sorts of environmental and economic impact studies, public comment sessions, medical work on the animals, etc. I got the run down from USFWS, NPS, and DFW with regards to the wolves and some of the reasons why they weren't reintroduced into WA and won't be. The process is quite spendy and budgets are tight. If the USFWS, NPS, or DFW were involved at all, there's a process that must be followed. The same would be true for pronghorns. According to each person I talked with, it was professional suicide to go outside the process.

[PlateauNDN]

There are supposed to be all sorts of environmental and economic impact studies, public comment sessions, medical work on the animals, etc. I got the run down from USFWS, NPS, and DFW with regards to the wolves and some of the reasons why they weren't reintroduced into WA and won't be. The process is quite spendy and budgets are tight. If the USFWS, NPS, or DFW were involved at all, there's a process that must be followed. The same would be true for pronghorns. According to each person I talked with, it was professional suicide to go outside the process.

Like anything else, State Laws don't apply and since we have the ability to govern ourselves we don't need the permission on our lands to make this type of decision.  They were pre-existing animals and we re-introduced them on our lands.  They are not Fed protected animals and we have the capabilities and rights to govern ourselves and set seasons to animals that are not protected.  We've re-introduced animals prior (i.e. bighorn & buffalo and that hasn't been professional suicide) to the pronghorn and as long as we are within our rights to do so we will continue to introduce more, if needed to sustain the herd.

To my knowledge the studies had been conducted by WDFW and presented to the public but they didn't have the budget or something to do with finances to move forward so the table turned and we jumped at the opportunity to bring another animal back to our reservation.  Only group that has any voice would be the US Fish and Wildlife and even at that it has to be on a govt. to govt. basis meeting to discuss options but, since we have our own management plans and systems in place it's ultimately our decision.

Let's change this around and change it to pronghorns and not buffalo and Yakama instead of Fort Peck.  Now, if the same group made the same accusations and attempted everything it did and tried to stop them here they would've found themselves in court in a heartbeat for infringing our rights to self-governance and I guarantee our leaders would've been more than happy to take every penny they could get from that group for interfering with our rights as a Sovereign Nation.

[pianoman9701]

There are supposed to be all sorts of environmental and economic impact studies, public comment sessions, medical work on the animals, etc. I got the run down from USFWS, NPS, and DFW with regards to the wolves and some of the reasons why they weren't reintroduced into WA and won't be. The process is quite spendy and budgets are tight. If the USFWS, NPS, or DFW were involved at all, there's a process that must be followed. The same would be true for pronghorns. According to each person I talked with, it was professional suicide to go outside the process.

Like anything else, State Laws don't apply and since we have the ability to govern ourselves we don't need the permission on our lands to make this type of decision.  They were pre-existing animals and we re-introduced them on our lands.  They are not Fed protected animals and we have the capabilities and rights to govern ourselves and set seasons to animals that are not protected.  We've re-introduced animals prior (i.e. bighorn & buffalo and that hasn't been professional suicide) to the pronghorn and as long as we are within our rights to do so we will continue to introduce more, if needed to sustain the herd.

To my knowledge the studies had been conducted by WDFW and presented to the public but they didn't have the budget or something to do with finances to move forward so the table turned and we jumped at the opportunity to bring another animal back to our reservation.  Only group that has any voice would be the US Fish and Wildlife and even at that it has to be on a govt. to govt. basis meeting to discuss options but, since we have our own management plans and systems in place it's ultimately our decision.

Let's change this around and change it to pronghorns and not buffalo and Yakama instead of Fort Peck.  Now, if the same group made the same accusations and attempted everything it did and tried to stop them here they would've found themselves in court in a heartbeat for infringing our rights to self-governance and I guarantee our leaders would've been more than happy to take every penny they could get from that group for interfering with our rights as a Sovereign Nation.

If the animals are restricted to tribal lands, you could be right, but I'm not even sure of that. Let's assume you're right, for the purposes of discussion. However, if any of the animals, just one, moves into state, federal, or private land, then this becomes a public issue. I don't know about MT and the Bison and how they expect those big fellas to pay attention to signs and gates, but if they are off tribal property, then there's a problem without the state or the feds having done their due diligence.

I'm certainly not disputing the cultural significance of these animals to Native Americans. I probably have very little understanding of how much this means to your people. But, there are procedures and they must be followed if this will impact the general population. The question is whether or not the procedure has been followed. If it has, fine. If it hasn't, someone's butt will burn. You can bet on it.

Ranchers have already been hit hard in MT with huge predator issues. I can easily understand their trepidation toward something else coming down their road that could easily represent the last straw for their survival. Were I a rancher, I probably wouldn't take this sitting down, either.

[TWG2A]

A significant issue with regard to these Bison is the fact that they spread Brucellosis.  When that disease is spread to cattle and elk, it causes aborted fetuses, among other major problems.  Currently, Montana is classified as a "Bruscellosis Free" State.  Once Montana loses it's "Bruscellosis Free Sastus", we lose our way of life and our means of production.  No more ranching and no more hunting.  This is more than "who owns these bison".  It's about Montana's livelihood.

The MAIN issue is being diluted here....

[TWG2A]

Forgot to mention that these Bison here can weigh over three thousand pounds, can run over thirty miles per hour and can grow to over six feet tall.  In other words... they are as large as a toyota 4runner and can do just as much damage to property/fencing and people.

People don't understand how very aggressive these beautiful animals can be.  Many you have seen or read about it, but you really don't get the accurate perspective until you've seen one up close.  They truly are beautiful animals, but one that should be avoided in person.

This reminds me of a Friend I was talking with one day a few years ago about cheese.  Being Italian, and one who loves the culinary arts, I Love "Buffalo Mozzerella" cheese.  It's tasty, soft and fresh.   My Friend turned to me and, with a straight face and big eyes, he exclaimed "How in the WORLD do they get close enough to those buffalo to actuallyu milk one?!?!?!"

LOL!

"Buffalo Cheese" is made from Water Buffalo.  Completely different than a Bison.