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Commissioners, Forest Service discuss commercial berry harvest, permit enforcement and revenue options
Summary
County and Forest Service staff discussed commercial huckleberry/mulberry harvest and enforcement challenges, including damage and dumping, potential permit changes and whether revenue from commercial harvests could fund tribal safety and enforcement; no policy change was approved.
Skamania County commissioners and U.S. Forest Service staff discussed commercial berry harvest activity (including huckleberries and other berries) and enforcement challenges on May 6, and explored how revenue from commercial harvest permits might be used to support local enforcement and community programs.
Forest Service staff said some residents and officials are concerned about large, commercially‑oriented berry harvest operations that they say contribute to unauthorized access, dumping, and enforcement burdens. One commissioner said the county has heard that commercial harvesters, rather than locals, are the primary source of impacts: "Because they enjoy the access and they don't want it pulled away, they kinda police their own... it negates the illegal dumping because people are always in the woods," a commissioner said in the context of discussion comparing different management models.
Commissioners and Forest Service staff also discussed the possibility of multi‑conversion permits, suspending or revising commercial permits in certain high‑use areas, and soliciting public comment. The Forest Service said it would accept feedback on fuel‑break projects and on suspension or modification of commercial permits as part of project comment processes.
A county official referenced a claimed commercial value from berry industries (a figure given in discussion as roughly $43,000,000), but noted that figure came from industry representatives and was not documented in the meeting. "I don't know what that's based on. That's the claim that they made when I was talking to them," the official said.
No binding change to permit policy or new enforcement funding was adopted in the meeting. Forest Service staff and commissioners agreed to continue discussions, pursue community outreach and solicit comments on targeted projects and permit suspensions where appropriate.
