Stay Informed With The Latest News
Welcome to the Scott Ashcraft Press Release page. Here you’ll find official announcements, updates, and news related to Scott Ashcraft’s work and ongoing initiatives. This page is intended to keep members of the media, stakeholders, and the public informed about key developments.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES
Please Direct All Media Requests To:
helpscottashcraft@gmail.com
Please also copy your request to:
naomi.seligman@valuesunited.org and press@whistlebloweraid.org
The whistleblower, the Forest Service, and an endless battle in North Carolina’s mountains
A longtime U.S. Forest Service archaeologist says he uncovered evidence that could rewrite what we know about ancient Cherokee and Muscogee history, and then watched his career unravel.
After discovering artifact‑rich mountain slopes the agency’s own model said shouldn’t exist, Scott Ashcraft accused the Forest Service of ignoring sacred sites, sidelining tribal partners, and retaliating against him when he spoke up. His whistleblower battle now spans years, hundreds of pages of evidence, and a growing rift between the Forest Service and Native nations.
Whistleblower Complaint Alleges Systematic Destruction of Tribal Cultural Sites in North Carolina National Forests:
In May 2023, federal archaeologist and Heritage Resource Program Manager Scott Ashcraft formally reported to the USDA Office of Inspector General that Forest Service officials were ignoring federal law and allowing the destruction of significant Native American cultural sites in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. The complaint details how outdated archaeological models were knowingly used to justify trail construction, prescribed burns, and timber projects that damaged or destroyed burial sites, petroglyphs, quarries, and other sacred places, often without legally required consultation with affected Tribes. Ashcraft alleges that when he documented new archaeological discoveries and pushed for compliance with laws like the National Historic Preservation Act and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, agency leadership suppressed his findings, removed his authority, and retaliated against him. The filing calls for urgent federal intervention to protect thousands of acres of irreplaceable cultural heritage and to restore transparency, accountability, and trust between the Forest Service and Tribal nations.
Tribal Lands Whistleblower Raises Concerns Over Protection of Native American Heritage
Scott Ashcraft, a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist and heritage resources program manager in Western North Carolina, has repeatedly warned that forest management practices are damaging or overlooking Native American artifacts on steep Appalachian terrain. He alleges that after raising concerns about logging, trail construction, prescribed burns, and outdated modeling methods, managers retaliated by stripping his duties and cutting off his communication with tribes. In a recent letter to federal authorities, Ashcraft describes a pattern of illegal, unethical, and careless behavior, including bypassing tribal consultation and limiting input from state archaeologists while projects moved forward. Ashcraft says the issue reflects a broader lack of accountability within the Forest Service and argues that protecting Native American heritage sites is a shared responsibility across government agencies.
Whistleblower Exposes Destruction of Sacred Sites in North Carolina Forests
Scott Ashcraft, a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist, has raised alarms about the destruction of Native American heritage sites in Western North Carolina. Ashcraft alleges that forest managers ignored the presence of significant artifacts, such as spear points and tools, during wildfire response, logging, and trail construction. Despite his repeated warnings, he claims he faced retaliation, with key duties reassigned and communication with tribes blocked. His whistleblower disclosure outlines how outdated models have led to the destruction of culturally important sites and stresses that safeguarding these sites requires collective action from government agencies, tribes, and the public.
U.S. Forest Service Archaeologist Raises Alarm Over Damage to Native American Sites in North Carolina
Scott Ashcraft, a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist, says outdated land management practices in Western North Carolina have ignored Native American artifacts buried on steep terrain, putting culturally significant sites at risk. After ancient tools were uncovered by a wildfire-fighting bulldozer in 2021, Ashcraft warned that prescribed burns, logging, and trail construction could violate historic preservation and environmental laws if tribal consultation and further research were bypassed. He alleges that managers retaliated against him by reassigning his duties and barring him from communicating with tribes while projects continued. In letters to federal officials, Ashcraft argues the issue reflects a broader lack of oversight within the Forest Service and calls for shared responsibility to protect irreplaceable Native American heritage sites.
Forest Service Archaeologist Alleges Systemic Destruction of Tribal Lands Near Asheville
Scott Ashcraft, a longtime U.S. Forest Service archaeologist in Pisgah National Forest, alleges that negligent and unlawful agency practices have led to the destruction of ancient Native American heritage sites in Western North Carolina. In letters to federal and state leaders, Ashcraft describes a pervasive pattern of illegal and unethical behavior, including failures to consult tribes, reliance on outdated archaeological models, and approval of logging, trail construction, and prescribed burns in sensitive areas. He says that after raising concerns, he faced retaliation, including being removed from projects, reassigned to administrative duties, and cut off from communication with tribes. Ashcraft argues that internal reviews have failed to meaningfully address the problem and warns that without outside intervention, irreplaceable cultural resources will continue to be damaged or destroyed.
Whistleblower Alleges Forest Service Destroyed Sacred Native American Sites, Including Along the Trail of Tears
Scott Ashcraft, a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist with a 31-year career, has publicly disclosed evidence that the agency approved development, burns, and other projects that damaged or destroyed Native American heritage sites in Western North Carolina, including areas connected to the Trail of Tears. In a letter to state and federal officials, Ashcraft alleges Forest Service leadership suppressed data, relied on a flawed national model that undercounts sites on sloped terrain, and failed to inform or consult affected tribes as required by law. He says these practices allowed projects such as the Old Fort Trails, Lickstone, and Seniard Creek developments to proceed despite known risks to sacred and archaeological sites. The press release states that instead of addressing these concerns, the agency retaliated against Ashcraft, prompting calls from Whistleblower Aid for a full and impartial investigation.
Whistleblower Warns Indigenous Archaeological Sites Are Being Damaged in Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests
U.S. Forest Service archaeologist Scott Ashcraft alleges that thousands of acres in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are being improperly developed or subjected to prescribed burns despite their archaeological significance. In a letter to federal and state leaders, he describes a years-long pattern of illegal, unethical, and irresponsible behavior, including reliance on flawed assumptions that sloped landscapes lack Tribal sites. Ashcraft says projects such as Old Fort Trails, Lickstone, and Seniard Creek have damaged or destroyed Native American cultural resources, even after he filed a whistleblower report in 2023. While Forest Service officials say internal and independent reviews found legal compliance, Ashcraft argues the problem reflects a broader national lack of safeguards to protect Indigenous heritage.
Whistleblower Warns of Ongoing Destruction of Tribal Sites in Western North Carolina
Scott Ashcraft, a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist, says ancient Native American artifacts uncovered during wildfire suppression in 2021 confirmed his long-standing concerns that steep forested terrain holds significant, overlooked cultural sites. He alleges that forest managers relied on outdated models, bypassed tribal consultation, suppressed scientific data, and retaliated against him after he raised alarms about logging, prescribed burns, and trail construction. In letters to federal officials, Ashcraft described a pattern of illegal, unethical, and irresponsible behavior that he says contrasts with national efforts to include Indigenous expertise in land management. While Forest Service officials say internal reviews found legal compliance, Ashcraft and preservation experts warn that irreplaceable Native American heritage sites continue to be damaged or destroyed.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES
Please Direct All Media Requests To:
helpscottashcraft@gmail.com
Please also copy your request to:
naomi.seligman@valuesunited.org and press@whistlebloweraid.org