As we previously reported, on April 20, 2015, the National Park Service (NPS) published a proposed rule on “Gathering of Certain Plants or Plant Parts by Federally Recognized Indian Tribes for Traditional Purposes.” See our General Memorandum 15-034 (April 30, 2015). The proposed rule would authorize the NPS Superintendent of a park area to enter into an agreement with a federally recognized Indian tribe to authorize gathering and removal of plants or plant parts for traditional purposes. On August 12, NPS published a notice reopening the comment period on this proposed rule (copy attached). The deadline for filing comments is now September 28, 2015.
Please let us know if we may provide additional information regarding this proposed rule or provide assistance in preparing comments.
