Is it now legal for EBCI tribal members to harvest ramps in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
One Feather: No, not yet. This issue has been discussed for many years. In 2010, John Jarvis, National Park Service director, visited Cherokee to discuss this with various EBCI community members and officials. The Park Service is currently taking comments on their proposed rule to amend its regulations giving authorization for members of federally recognized tribes to gather and remove plants and plant parts for traditional reasons. The comment period is set to end on Monday, Sept. 28. You may make your comment online at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NPS-2015-0002-0071. In a statement on April 17, Jarvis wrote, “The proposed rule respects tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship between the United States and the tribes. It also supports the mission of the National Park Service and the continuation of unique cultural traditions of American Indians.”
