Opinion is divided on what visitor center should be

Plans to erect a permanent visitor center at the Bear Paw Battlefield of the Nez Perce National Historic Park remain in the earliest stage, according a National Park Service official.

Jon James, manager of the Montana units of the Nez Perce National Historic Park, said the agency is nearing the end of its feasibility study phase. James said then Rep. Rick Hill, R-Mont., and Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., requested the feasibility study in 1999.

"They wanted us to explore if it was feasible," James said. "We found that the opinion is pretty divided what it should look like, where it should be."

Be...