Sochan Gathering for Traditional Purposes Environmental Assessment

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is announcing a public comment period for an environmental assessment that analyzes potential impacts of gathering leaves from sochan plants (Rudbeckia laciniata) in the Park by members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for traditional purposes.

The environmental assessment was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The public is encouraged to participate in the planning process by reviewing and providing comments on the environmental assessment. The proposed project is an undertaking as outlined under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. As such, we welcome comments about historic properties or other cultural resources that fall within the project area.

The public comment period is open through December 13, 2018. The National Park Service prefers that you submit comments using the Comment Now button on this page. Comments may also be submitted by mail at the address provided below.

Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act the entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. Although you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we would have the legal authority to do so.

Document Content:

GRSM Sochan Gathering EA 20181107.pdf   (3.7 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.