Great. Your testimony states that the bill would allow the tribes and tribal organizations to enter into 638 self-governance contracts to assume BIA bison herd management functions.

I appreciate today's hearing. You have covered much of the details of the bills that will be before us.

On average, how long does this review take BIA to review an application? What are you looking at?

Great. Your testimony states that the bill would allow the tribes and tribal organizations to enter into 638 self-governance contracts to assume BIA bison herd management functions.

Do you think that the way things are structured currently that we do have that flexibility, government programs by their very nature are not inherently built to be flexible?

Good. And is it also your understanding that the bill would cover the cost of transporting the bison within Alaska from village to village to promote sustainable grazing practices and herd health?

As it turns out, the 9th of June, just on Sunday, was Congressman Young's birthday, and it is also the day that has been designed in Alaska as Don Young Day.

What we are trying to do is, again, reestablish these herds for economic development as a traditional food source and provide food security for Native communities.

On average, how long does this review take BIA to review an application? What are you looking at?

Is it the department's interpretation of S. 2908 that the bill will cover the cost of transporting the bulls, the cows and the calves to the villages that are working to establish these bison herds?

So, three years. I am looking then to Chair Bryan, and to Chairperson Mejia.

Thank you to those who have testified today.

Another challenge, though, is the need for mobile processing trailers when you have communities that are not connected by road.

What we are trying to do is, again, reestablish these herds for economic development as a traditional food source and provide food security for Native communities.

Good. And is it also your understanding that the bill would cover the cost of transporting the bison within Alaska from village to village to promote sustainable grazing practices and herd health?

On average, how long does this review take BIA to review an application?

What we are trying to do is, again, reestablish these herds for economic development as a traditional food source and provide food security for Native communities.

Do you think that the way things are structured currently that we do have that flexibility, government programs by their very nature are not inherently built to be flexible?