Special forest products available on Stanislaus National Forest

Sonora, Calif., February 12, 2015…The Stanislaus National Forest offers a variety of collection permits available to the public for special forest products. Members of the public desiring to gather special forest products must be personally in possession of a valid permit (on person at time of gathering). Permits are available at all district offices and at the Supervisor’s Office located in Sonora, CA. With the exception of minerals (rocks), all permits are available as either free (for personal use) or chargeable. Individuals wanting more than the allotted amount associated with a free permit or desiring to sell the product must purchase a chargeable permit. Types of products include, but are not limited to: limbs, boughs, foliage, cones, needles, mushrooms and minerals. Each permit is issued with terms and conditions designed to protect natural resources on public lands.

Fuelwood permits are typically available April through November, and mushroom permits are scheduled to be available in mid-March. Some permits may not be available at this time due to ongoing analysis of resource damage in the Rim Fire area. Per year, personal fuelwood permits are limited to 10 cords per household; chargeable mineral permits are only available on the individual districts (not at the Supervisor’s Office in Sonora), all other permits have a limit of $300 per person.

The Stanislaus National Forest staff encourages and welcomes public recreation in the forest. Opportunities for public involvement in land management are available. For information on individual products, call: the Stanislaus NF Supervisor’s Office at: 209-532-3671; Calaveras Ranger District (RD) at 209-795-1381; Groveland RD 209-962-7825; Mi-Wok RD at 209-586-3234 or Summit RD at 209-965-3434.