SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5137

BYSenators Owen and Gaspard

Requiring a permit for commercial mushroom harvesting on state lands.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 4, 1987

Senate Staff:Kaleen Cottingham (786-7415)

AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The harvest of wild edible mushrooms by recreational and commercial pickers is currently unregulated on state lands.  During the last several years, increased commercial harvest and export of wild mushrooms have raised concern about (1) the impact on the forest environment; (2) the impact on the mushroom populations; and (3) compensation to the trusts.

SUMMARY:

A permit is required to commercially harvest mushrooms from state land.  The permit shall specify the site and quantity of mushrooms to be harvested.  The fee for the permit shall be based on the fair market value of the mushrooms harvested.  A permit may be denied or conditioned if the harvesting would be detrimental to the long-term stability of the mushroom population or the long-term productivity of the forest land.

Permits are not required for personal use harvesting of mushrooms.

It is unlawful to buy or sell mushrooms that were commercially harvested without a permit.

The DNR shall conduct a study of the ecological effects of mushroom harvesting.  The report shall be presented to legislative committees by September 1, 1988.

Fiscal Note:      none requested