NPS doesn't oppose Eastern Cherokee land swap

THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2003

The Bush administration doesn't oppose a bill to land swap between the Eastern Band of Cherokees and the National Park Service, an official said on Wednesday.

The tribe wants to give 218 acres to the park service and receive 168 acres within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The tribe will use the land to build a new school.

NPS is moving forward on its own with the land exchange. Conservationists oppose the transfer.

Get the Story:
Tribe urges House to pass land-swap bill (The Asheville Citizen-Times 6/19)

Relevant Documents:
Written Witness Testimony (June 18, 2003)

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