Steve Wallick for the Tribune

The National Park Service appears poised to enter an agreement to provide buffalo to the Three Affliated Tribes.

In the past, the tribes received buffalo culled from the herd at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The arrangement was discontinued last fall after two years of controversy. The tribes were accused of starving and mistreating the animals, charges the tribes denied. Tribal chairman Tex Hall and other officials said the buffalo were well cared for but that drought conditions had taken a toll on pastures.

The tribes have reduced their herd from 900 to 500 head. They also say, and the park service has checked, that pastures have rebounded with this year's welcomed rains.

The tribes want more buffalo for the Lewis and Clark Signature Event in August 2006 in New Town.

The park service expects to give buffalo to the tribes this year and enter a long-term agreement next year.

It's important for everyone involved that this arrangement works. How the tribes handle the buffalo will be closely watched - by reservation members who were critical of previous care and outsiders concerned by reports of neglect.

If something goes wrong, it would be terrible from an animal rights perspective. It also would be a public relations disaster. The reputation of the park service and the image of the tribes would be damaged.

The tribes, rightfully, take great pride in their heritage. The buffalo played a major role in Indian history and are greatly respected. The buffalo need to be showcased before, during and after the signature event.

The tribes can't ask for a better time to prove their critics wrong. A healthy herd will be an awesome sight for visitors. The meat and other items produced from the buffalo will be attractive to tourists.

It's the responsibility of the park service and tribes to make sure the agreement works. A system must be established that guarantees the well-being of the buffalo.

If this is done, everyone wins.