Photo: Ozark chinquapin (Castanea ozarkensis) in bloom. NPS photo
The National Park Service (NPS) has extended the public comment period of the Buffalo National River Plant Gathering for Traditional Purposes Environmental Assessment (EA).
The original deadline for public comments was Sept. 6, but it has been extended to Sunday. Initially, there were technical issues with the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website receiving comments from the public. Those issues have been resolved, and park officials want to ensure interested parties have time to submit their comments.
The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the potential impacts of entering into an agreement with the Cherokee Nation to allow plant gathering for traditional purposes on the Buffalo National River. The park and the Cherokee Nation collaboratively prepared the EA. At the request of the Cherokee Nation, trusted information has been redacted.
The EA is available on the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) National Park Service website through Sunday.
In addition to utilizing the website, there are two other ways to comment during the public review period.
Comments may be sent by mail to Buffalo National River, Attn. Plant Gathering Plan, 402 North Walnut, Harrison, AR 72601. Letters should be postmarked by Sunday.
Comments may also be sent via email to buff_superintendent@nps.gov BNR superintendent
Comments merely supporting or opposing a proposal or merely agreeing or disagreeing with NPS policy are not considered substantive.
All commenters are encouraged to review the criteria for substantive comments below and respond accordingly.
Substantive comments are those that:
Question, with reasonable basis, the accuracy of the information in the NEPA document;
Question, with reasonable basis, the adequacy of the environmental analysis;
Present reasonable alternatives other than those presented in the NEPA document; or
Cause changes or revisions in the proposal. In other words, substantive comments raise, debate, or question a point of fact or analysis.
In August 2016, the National Park Service issued a new rulemaking regarding gathering plants for traditional uses. The rule, Gathering of Certain Plants or Plant Parts by Federally Recognized Indian Tribes for Traditional Purposes (36 CFR 2.6), provides guidance for parks to works with tribal partners to enter a formal agreements for the activities. As part of this process, the NPS must evaluate potential impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Plant gathering is otherwise prohibited within national park lands according to federal regulations (36 CFR 2.6).
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