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MOIESE- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to hear from Montanans regarding the Confederated Salish Kootenai's Tribe proposal to work with the federal government to operate the National Bison Range in Moiese.

CSKT is requesting to enter into an Annual Funding Agreement with the Department of Interior and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service to operate and maintain programs and activities at the Bison Range.

The law states that Indian Tribes must negotiate for an AFA for the tribe to perform activities administered by the Department of Interior that are a specific geographic, historic or cultural significance to the requesting qualified Tribe.

The government would enter a contract with the CSKT that would allow the tribe to operate refuge programs and perform day-to-day activities.

The federal government is now asking the public be prepared to evaluate the impact the proposed action will have on the environment and the analysis will help USFWS make an environmentally sound decision according to a news release.

They are asking the public to respond with suggested alternatives and concerns about significant issues regarding the proposed action, saying that the scoping process is intended to ensure that problems are identified early and properly addressed.

Click here to view the draft AFA. Written scoping comments and questions will be accepted from May 15th until June 15th and can be submitted via email or in writing to either The National Bison Range, 58355 Bison Range Road, Moiese, Montana 59824, or ti U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, National Wildlife Refuge System, Mountain-Prairie Region, P.O. Box 25486, DFC, Denver, Colorado 80225.