The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1950-07-13
PoIicyin Granting Of Crow Grazing
Privileges Is Set Forth 'F.
In Letter from Indian Commissioner
of Permit
System Principal
Point of Discussion

S111I VI SOSSlOI1
A letter from D. S. Myer, In
dian commissioner, Washington,
D. c., to Paul Fickinger, Bill
lingS, area director, explaining
the policy for guidance in the
granting of grazing privileges
on the Grow Indian reservation
for the period beginning De-
cember l, 1850, was made pub
lie today by l.. G. Lippert, SUI
perintendent of the Crow res
ervation.
The letter follows:
Reference is made to the con-
ference on the proposed grant,
ing of grazing privileges on the
Crow Indian Reservation for
the period beginning December
l, 1850, which was held during
the week beginning June IL.
This conference was attended
by representatives of the Blu
reau, spokesman for the leSSees
and permitteeS of the reServa-
ton and the Chairman of the
Crow Tribal Council.
The principal, point of dis
custom was whether the permit
system would be continued on
the reservation in view of re-
cent competency legislation
which will ultimately place an
estimated $50 of the trust al
lotted lands of the reservation
in a competent status.
Spokesman for the Stockmen
were unanimous in urging that
the permit system be retained
and expressed a willingness to
cooperate in obtaining proper
range management by accept
ing on-and-off permits which
would cover all the range land
they control, assume more re-
Sponsibility in controlling tres
pass and cooperate in providing
livestock driveWays, provided
that a minimum of change is
made in existing range unit
boundaries.
After careful consideration of
all the information presented
by the Bureau staff, the non
Indian permitteeS and leSsees
and the chairman of the Grow
Tribal Council, the following
policy is outlined for guidance
in the granting of grazing priv
leges for the next period:
l. The range unit system shall
be continued with such modi-
fication of unit boundaries as
necessary for proper manage
ment with every effort being
made to provide the maximum
amount of grazing for Indian
livestock. The adjustment in
range unit boundaries should
be kept to a minimum consiS-
tent with positive need. Such
adjustment may include the
establishment of separate range
units of the mountain areas of
tribal lands if the interest of
the Indians and proper man
agement so dictates.
2. Grazing privileges on non
competent allotted and tribal
lands shall be advertised for
competitive bidding pursuant to
the General Grazing Regula-
lions, Is CIR lib. The council
under this section of the reg
ulationS may, among other
things, establish the minimum
rate for tribal lands and rec
ommend the minimum rate for
allotted lands. The minimum
acceptable rate for allotted
lands shall he based on a fair
valuation of grazing privileges
and shall in no event be less
than the average rate paid for
competent lands in the reSpec-
tive units.
8. It shall be the responsible
ity of the permittees to con-
troll treSpaSs on competent
lands held under lease regard
less of whether such lands are
included in the on-and-off
clause of the permit. The per-
mitteeS shall also be expected
to cooperate with the Bureau
officials in controlling trespass
on the non-competent allotted
and tribal lands to the limit
possible under state law. This
does not, however, contemplate
that the Bureau officials shall
not render reasonable assistance
in the overall control of tres
pass consistent with available
personnel, and the rights in
volved.
4. In consideration OF the
maintenance of present unit
boundaries so far as practical,
the permittees shall be expected
to cooperate in providing suit
able stock driveWayS and other
necessary facilities for effective
use of the range. They shall
also be expected to have leases
on the competent lands offered
for on-and-off privileges ex-
ecuted on the form which pro-
vides for such use by the lessee
and lessor.
In order that Indians may
have the privilege of leasing
their lands as soon as practi-
cable after becoming competent,
authority for withdrawing for
mer non-competent lands at
the end of an annual period
and leasing them to the per-
mittee, as granted in office let
ter of July 8, 1913, is hereby
extended to cover the next per-
NIT period.
The foregoing should be made
available to the public at the
earliest practicable date.