The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is reminding residents of a relatively new rule prohibiting non-tribal members from berry and mushroom picking on all tribal-owned lands on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
The CSKT recently sent out a news release to remind about the closure, which was implemented in March 2012.
A tribal member may have non-member children and spouse accompany and assist with berry and mushroom picking, provided that the non-member children and spouse have the required recreation permits in their possession. All tribal lands are closed to non-members until affected areas are recovered, according to the CSKT.
The goal of the closure is to protect native plant resources on the reservation from damage caused by over harvest, according to the CSKT.
“This type of closure is necessary to ensure these resources are managed for present and future Tribal members,” Tom McDonald, CSKT Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation manager, said in a statement.
The monitoring and recovery process may take a number of years.
“One of our primary concerns is protecting subsistence use of the natural and cultural resources in the area—while still providing recreation access for visitors,” McDonald said.
The monitoring and recovery will determine if the reservation will be reopened and what mitigation will be needed for protecting the berry and mushroom resources.
“Regulations are reviewed annually with public hearings held each fall,” McDonald said.