Unlawful Cut Forest Products, Nov. 8

News release Coos Co. Sheriff’s Office.  On November 6, 2016, at about 1143 hours, a Deputy from the Coos County Sheriff’s Office contacted a suspicious vehicle in the “No Parking Area” near the Crannog Road sand access to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA) in the Hauser area.  In the process of checking the vehicle, the deputy noticed evidence of a potential theft of minor forest products.  The deputy observed picked matsutaki mushrooms, a prized mushroom for buyers and pickers alike. During the investigation two men were found and contacted in the area and were identified as Jesse Skattebo and Geoffrey Ball.  It was determined the men were picking mushrooms illegally, as they did not have a permit to harvest the mushrooms as required by law. Further, it was found that Mr. Ball had an active warrant for his arrest out of Coos County for Contempt of Court.  Geoffrey Ball was arrested and both men were cited for Unlawful Cutting and Transport of Minor Forest Products.  The Coos County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to know the requirements for obtaining a permit for forest products as outlined in Oregon Revised Statute 164.813.  Per the United States Forest Service: No permit or fee is required for quantities less than one gallon. If collecting more than a gallon – even if only for personal use – a permit is required. Up to six (6) matsutake mushrooms can be collected per day for incidental/non-commercial use. All matsutake mushrooms collected under incidental use must be cut in half length-wise immediately after picking to remove their commercial value. Mushrooms gathered under incidental harvest are for personal use only. Selling or exchanging mushrooms gathered incidentally is a violation of Federal Regulations (Title 36 CFR 261.6F), punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.  (Source: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/siuslaw/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fsbdev7_007234) Permits for Coos County Forests and Parks may be obtained from the Forestry and Parks departments respectively.