http://home.nps.gov/applications/morningreport/morningreportold.cfmBlue Ridge Parkway
Ginseng Poaching Arrest And Conviction
On Sunday, August 24th, ranger Joe Darling found a vehicle parked off the side of the parkway in an area that has no trails but is known for illegal harvest of ginseng. When Darling entered the woods, he discovered signs of recent digging and eventually contacted Sage Adamson of Asheville, North Carolina. Upon investigation, Adamson was found to have 34 freshly dug ginseng roots in his possession and admitted to digging them up on park property. On Friday, August 29th, Adamson appeared before the a federal magistrate and pled guilty to digging and removing ginseng. He received 18 days in jail, was ordered to pay $1,000 in fines, and banned from the parkway and adjacent federal or US Forest Service lands for two years. Adamson further admitted to previously removing ginseng from other locations along the parkway and adjacent USFS areas and subsequently surrendered 481 additional roots, which when dried renders about two pounds of ginseng. Ginseng is presently bringing in more than $1,000 per pound, resulting in an increase in violations. [Submitted by Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
