Forest Service to issue salal permits

 

Permits for harvesting salal from area forests begin Sept. 4.

 

Permits for the understory shrub desired by florists will be issued out of the Olympic National Forest’s offices in Forks, Quinalt and Quilcene. The shrub grows in dense thickets throughout the area.

 

The forest will be selling permits during office hours on Sept. 4, Oct. 30, Jan. 8, 2014, and March 5, 2014.

 

Permits will cost $150 each and will be valid for two months.

 

The forest will be issuing 100 permits, said Chris Dowling with the Forest Service. Permits will be awarded on a lottery system if demand exceeds that amount.

 

The Forks office will issue 25 permits for harvest in the west side of Clallam County. The Quinalt office will issue 25 permits for harvest in Grays Harbor County and the west side of Jefferson County. The Quilcene office will issue 50 permits for harvest in Mason County and east Clallam and Jefferson counties.

 

Permit holders will be limited to 200 hands per day in possession. Boundaries for harvest units are delineated on maps available at each office.

 

Harvesters must wear at least one piece of high-visibility clothing.

 

Valid photo identification is required for those buying permits. Permit buyers must be at least 18 years of age.

 

For additional information about salal permit sales, contact Dowling at 360-956-2272.