Eric Hunt ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) queried thusly: >That question brought to mind one I've had for awhile - seems >a good time to ask it. > >Is it illegal in any state to remove/collect *any* orchid, >regardless of whether it >is on public or private land?
No, no; we're still living in America, still allowed to do a little with our private property. :-) On private land, it's a civil matter unless the species are federally listed or on a state protected list. So, then you need landowner permission, and, well, that's about it. On public land, it varies. Bureau of Land Management land is pretty much open range, and permits are cheap and easy- if they're required at all. Wilderness areas are much tougher- anything that leaves more than footprints requires so many permits as to be prohibitive. This was invoked with a species I'd LIKE to work with here in the desert (an orchid), but it's just not worth the hassle. National Parks and Forests are protected, unless you have a lot of money and own a drilling company or a thumper truck: http://www.sierraclub.org/ut/careforutah/p/DSCN4775.html Gives a whole meaning to "Please don't step on the grass." But! If the species IS protected, then it becomes a patchwork. If it's state protected, then you need the state's permission. If it's federally protected, then you *might* need a mother-may-I from the feds, and almost certainly from the state. Plus, if it's federally listed, you can't move it between states without a pile of permits. And if it's federally- or state-listed AND on federal land- have mercy on your soul. I once caught some slob who sells these dig-em-ups on "eBay" selling Platanthera leucophaea, a federally listed species, as sold from his own property. Now THAT is perfectly legal UNTIL you offer them for sale across state lines. Then that's a big federal no-no. So, I dumped a copy of the auction to my hard drive, contacted the office of the US Fish and Wildlife Service nearest to the seller, and handed them everything I had. He still sells crap dig-em-ups on eBay, but no more platantheras. His feedback, last I checked, was "private" and pretty wretched as a percentage. Anyway- that's just what I've gathered from my exploits. Don't take my word as legal advice. I've only ever worked with one federally protected species, and it was an absolute breeze: one-page state application that got turned around in under 24 hours, private landowner permission, and- done. The six-hour round trip was the most painful part of the deal. Cheers, -AJHicks Chandler, AZ _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
