Virginia:
The U.S. Forest Service
wants to regulate the gathering of native plant materials on
Forest Service lands. Called "The Sale and Disposal of National Forest System Timber;
Special Forest Products and Forest Botanical Products,"
the rule would establish regulations for
“the
sustainable free use, commercial harvest and sale of special
forest products and forest botanical products from National
Forest Service lands.”
In short, any tribal members wanting to pick berries or
collect basket making materials on National Forest lands
would have to buy a permit. While non-recognized tribes
would also need permits, some tribes covered by treaty
agreements may not.
The California Indian Basket Weavers Association is
opposing the measure. According to a release,
“It is our position that this rule exceeds the Forest
Service’s authority regarding matters of tribal trust,
treaty rights and other issues pertaining to
tribal/government relations. Under current policy, such use
does not require fees or permits. [The National Forest
Service] “would set a damaging precedent in separating
treaty tribes from other federally recognized tribes”
The rule
was a last minute measure proposed by the Bush
administration. It was proposed in October 2007, then
reached the Federal Register on Dec. 29, 2008. The ruling
was to have taken effect on Jan. 28, 2009. Considerable
opposition to the ruling prompted Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
to extend the deadline to allow for public comment.
“In keeping with President Obama’s recent pledge for a more
transparent and inclusive government that works for the
people, this extension will afford the public an opportunity
to participate in the rulemaking process,” Vilsack said.
“This rule is especially important to American Indians and
Alaska Natives and we want to make sure that they, and other
stakeholders, have an opportunity to have their voices
heard.”
California Indian Basketweaver's
Association: http://www.ciba.org/
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/40663497.html
Previous
Next
