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Washington, DC – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) today asked Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV03) of the House Committee on Resources and Subcommittee Chairwoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Del/GU) to look into the Department of Interior transferring management of the National Bison Range in Montana from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to Native American tribes or other agencies.
“Congress made it very clear that the nation’s wildlife refuges would be managed by US Fish and Wildlife when the National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act was passed,” Dingell said. “This attempt to move the National Bison Range to Native American tribes is not only a violation of this legislation, but also a threat to refuges throughout the United States.
“National wildlife refuges are one of our nation’s greatest treasures. Through refuges, such as the National Bison Range, we are able to conserve and protect our wildlife and their habitats for future generations. I am concerned that if these refuges are turned over to private entities, 100 years of conservation efforts will be undermined.”
The text of the letter is as follows:
February 15, 2007
Honorable Madeline Z. Bordallo, Chairwoman
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans
House Resources Committee
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 |
Honorable Nick Rahall, Chair
House Resources Committee
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 |
Dear Chairwoman and Chair:
As the new chairs of your respective committees, I would like to call to your attention an important issue in the Resources Committee’s jurisdiction involving policies for management of our National Wildlife Refuges. My specific concern relates to the National Bison Range (NBR) Complex in western Montana. The complex oversees five National Wildlife Refuges, including a Wetland Management District containing more than a dozen Waterfowl Production Areas. It also has responsibilities for a number of conservation easements on private lands in its vicinity. The core unit is the National Bison Range, a hallmark refuge established by President Theodore Roosevelt at the express order of the U.S. Congress in 1908. This vital area was the first national conservation area purchased entirely with federal monies. Since its creation it has harbored a herd of once nearly extinct American Bison. This herd developed from 40 animals purchased by the American Bison Society using donations sent by people in 29 states, the District of Columbia and three other nations. The National Bison Range has thus been perpetuating a vital herd of bison and contributing animals to many other herds for nearly a century.
Over the past several years, however, the Department of the Interior has attempted to turn over major elements of management at the NBR Complex to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes under provisions of the Indian Self-Governance Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-413, 108 Stat. 4272-4277). The Department has also indicated its intent to develop as many as 30 other such agreements at refuges across the country once the prototype has been developed at the National Bison Range. This is being done in spite of the inherently federal responsibilities involved and despite provisions in the National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act that do not permit the Secretary to make such delegations outside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Having been directly involved in the passage of the provisions just described, I can vouch for the explicit congressional intent of the 1976 amendment to the Refuge Administration Act. The principle of the added provisions was that there should never be any attempt to establish a second refuge system by delegating its authorities or transferring units or responsibilities to any other entity.
The commitment by American sportsmen and women, among many others, over the 105 years of the National Wildlife Refuge System’s existence has been one of America’s most notable examples in conservation. The congressional amendment signified that special relationship; the commitment made to and by the Refuge System should never be tampered with or weakened by unsound development of secondary efforts to manage fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. This important work should be left to the professionals now managing our national system of refuges.
I have asked two members of my staff, Josh Tzuker and Kimberlee Trzeciak, to contact the subcommittee staff to convey materials that provide further details and background on this issue. They will be happy to answer any questions you or your staff may have. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of assistance with this or any other matter of concern.
With every good wish,
Sincerely yours,
John D. Dingell
Member of Congress
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