Six Rivers National Forest release:

Six Rivers National Forest Law Enforcement officers have recently issued multiple citations for illegal wood harvesting. More violations are expected as the investigation continues.

Multiple reports of illegal wood cutting have been received concerning illegal wood harvesting near Horse Linto and Waterman Ridge along USFS Route 4 in Willow Creek.

Large, live-standing madrone trees and fir trees have been cut near the road’s edge and the area around the cut trees is significantly damaged. These crimes of harvesting live-standing trees are detrimental to Forest health.

“Illegal woodcutting is a crime we take very seriously throughout the region, especially here on the six rivers where local environmental factors have already damaged our timber,” said Six Rivers Law Enforcement Captain Gonzalo Ochoa. “Illegal woodcutting opens the door for various negative environmental factors such as, erosion, destroying wildlife habitat, and most importantly deforestation.”

USDA Forest Service law enforcement have already successfully located and cited 3 individuals harvesting wood without a permit and have reason to believe there are more parties involved. 

Harvesting wood illegally on national forests will result in a minimum of a $5,000 fine and 6 months in jail. Cited parties involved in this federal crime will be prosecuted.

Wood permits including guidelines and maps of locations for cutting are available at any U.S. Forest Service District office. For more information about wood harvesting on the Six Rivers National Forest visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/srnf/firewoodcuttingpermits.