COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL USE MUSHROOM PERMITS AVAILABLE FROM BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is issuing permits for mushroom gathering on public lands in Humboldt and Mendocino counties.

Public lands managed by the Arcata Field Office are open to mushroom gathering, except for the Samoa Peninsula and the Headwaters Forest Reserve.  The Samoa Dunes Recreation Area is closed to all plant gathering to protect the Humboldt Bay wallflower and beach layia, two endangered plants.  Headwaters Forest Reserve is closed to mushroom gathering to protect endangered species habitat.

Commercial and personal mushroom permits will be issued for specific times and quantities.  Commercial permits cost $10 a day, $25 for three consecutive days, and $50 for seven consecutive days.  Mushroom gatherers will need to specify the dates desired.  A permit covering the entire commercial season, which runs through December 31 of this year, costs $100.  There is no limit on amounts collected, but each person collecting must be at least 21 years old and have a permit.

Personal use permits, available for U.S. citizens only, are free and are issued for a 30-day period.  They are available throughout the winter and carry a weight limit of five pounds a day per person.  A limited number of permits is available.

Mushroom collectors (personal use and commercial) may not use rakes, power blowers, or implements that disturb the duff, soils or vegetation.

Commercial permits must be obtained in person from the Arcata Field Office, 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Personal use permits may be obtained from the Arcata office, or from the BLM office in Whitethorn.

For further information, please contact the Arcata office at 707-825-2300 or the BLM King Range Project Office at 707-986-5400.

- BLM -