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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 17, 2005 Protection sought for huckleberries Forest Service will decide if tradition-laden thicket will receive special status By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune The lush 9,500-acre huckleberry thicket straddling the Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou national forests has been used by generations of Indian tribes and other locals for hunting, gathering and spiritual ceremonies. The U.S. Forest Service recently released the environmental assessment on its proposal to protect the high-mountain huckleberry stronghold by setting it aside as a special interest area. The administrative designation would recognize the cultural and historical significance of the area, dubbed the Huckleberry Patch by locals. It also would require a management strategy to protect and promote the propagation of huckleberry shrubs, which have been shaded out by encroaching fir trees, said Debbie Anderson, the project’s team leader from the Umpqua National Forest. "Huckleberry production is low compared to historic levels," said Amy Amoroso, director of natural resources for the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, who helped the agency develop the project’s environmental assessment. "We would like to increase huckleberry production in this area." Advertisement The 1,300-member tribe has pressed the Forest Service for nearly 25 years to protect the area, said Sue Shaffer, tribal chairwoman. Indigenous people have used the area for thousands of years, she said. The thicket was vital for amassing a winter food supply, including deer meat, hazelnuts, roots, huckleberries and other berries, she said. Another ritual involved burying projectile points, ceremonial necklaces and other items at the site. The tribe would seek the items when deciding whether to go to war, while pondering a move, or while hearing oral tribal histories, honoring young braves or offering spiritual prayers, Shaffer has said. The huckleberry, a cousin to blueberries, is unique to the high mountains of the Pacific Northwest. They usually ripen in early fall. The Cow Creek Band promotes burning brush to spur huckleberry production, Shaffer said. The Forest Service consulted the Cow Creek as well as the Confederated Tribe of the Grand Ronde Indians, Klamath Tribes and the Confederated Tribe of the Siletz Indians in developing the area’s environmental assessment, said Patty Burel, spokeswoman for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. About 4,700 acres of the area are in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The other 4,800 acres lie in the Umpqua National Forest, Burel said. The supervisors of both forests are expected to decide on the denotation in December or January followed by a 45-day appeal period. Public comments The U.S. Forest Service will accept public comments on the Huckleberry Patch Special Interest Area Environmental Assessment until Nov. 28. Comments may be sent to Debbie Anderson, project team leader, Umpqua National Forest, 2900 N.W. Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97470, or [email protected]. For details, call 541-957-3466. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail Protection sought for huckleberries ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Salvia Divinorum Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s