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MONDAY, JULY 7, 2003

A proposed land swap between the National Park Service and the Eastern Band of Cherokees could upset rare species, according to a new report.

The draft environmental impact statement identifies 58 species within the 168-acre site in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are also species of flies, insects, moths and butterflies that have yet to be documented.

The swap area is home to several Cherokee archaeological sites that contain artifacts dating back 3,000 years.

The tribe wants to trade the land in order to build a school for Cherokee children.

Get the Story:
Proposed land swap could threaten some plant, animal species (The Asheville Citizen-Times 7/7)

Relevant Documents:
Environmental Impact Statement: Eastern Cherokee Land Exchange (NPS June 2003) | Written Witness Testimony (June 18, 2003)

Get the Bill:
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Land Exchange Act of 2002 (H.R.1409)

Relevant Links:
Cherokee Land Exchange - http://www.npslandexchange.com
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians - http://www.cherokee-nc.com
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
National Parks Conservation Association - http://www.eparks.org

Related Stories:
NPS to hold public meetings on Cherokee land swap (6/30)
NPS doesn't oppose Eastern Cherokee land swap (6/19)
House committee to consider tribal bills (6/18)
Tribal school project on 'endangered' parks list (01/15)
Indian man resigning from Park Service (12/10)
NPS manager to quit over Cherokee swap (10/04)
Yellowstone bison death toll mounts (5/23)
Group cites tribal transfer as danger to park (3/26)
Cherokee tribe urges land swap (2/13)