Firewood cutting permits?

[Bettacreek]

So, the stash is running low at camp, and soon, there will be no more firewood to cut up there. Not to mention that it's half an hour drive to get there, which wastes fuel. So, I've been scoping around, and there're a LOT of downed trees that could be useful from the state forest. My only problem is, I cannot find where to get a permit for Sproul State Forest or check the prices. I'd also like to know how they enforce the permits, considering that they enforce it by the cord.

 

[Wildsky]

Find a number to call and ask them.

A permit here is $30 per year, and I assume that means we can take as much as we want.

 

[sylvie]

I wish we were near a state forest!
Our county park system lets residents collect driftwood from the lake shore in spring for firewood. More trouble than it is worth because of the high bluffs, no vehicle access, limited parks. No permit needed, just haul off.

 

[Bettacreek]

Alright, I guess for the Commonwealth of PA, it's $15 for a permit to harvest one cord. The permit expires in 15 days. You may get a two cord permit that expires in 30 days for $30 or a three cord permit that expires in 45 days for $45. The one page says that there is a max of 3 cords per household per year, however, that page also says that the permit is $10 per cord, so I'm not sure if the three cord max applies or not.
The thing that I dislike about this permit is that the permit holder is the one allowed to help collect. So, if the BF gets the permit, I have to stay at home, I cannot help him load it on the truck. A little silly if you ask me. If the permit restrictions go by household, then the household members should be allowed to help in collection.

Sylvie, we're surrounded by state forests, literally. Google Map the location of Farwell, PA. Zoom out a little bit until you can see some of the other towns, you'll see state forests everywhere.

 

[dacjohns]

No one is allowed to help or no one is allowed to do it for the permit holder?

 

[Bettacreek]

(h) Permits are not transferable. The permittee shall be present when wood is being cut and removed from Commission property and shall assume full responsibility for cutting and removal.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong. It's rather confusing to be honest. Unless they mean responsibility as in, if something goes wrong, that's who gets the blame...?

 

[dacjohns]

(h) Permits are not transferable. The permittee shall be present when wood is being cut and removed from Commission property and shall assume full responsibility for cutting and removal.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong. It's rather confusing to be honest. Unless they mean responsibility as in, if something goes wrong, that's who gets the blame...?

The way I read that is the permittee has to be present. The permittee can have help. The permittee is responsible for making sure all the rules are followed; type of wood, amount, clean up, distance from roads, etc.

 

[Bettacreek]

Thanks, that's what I was starting to think after re-reading everything.
I still dislike the 3 cord limit. :/
I think something may be wrong with our furnace, everything burns so quickly. We have to use two 5g buckets of hard coal per day (half ton lasts 15 days). If we burn crappy or small cut wood, a face cord will last a few days at max (ie, 3ish days). If we burn good wood, a face cord will last approximately two weeks, but I may be off on that part, because we were harvesting it on a regular basis and never running out.
Of course, it really doesn't help that this house is old and the guys tell me that there literally is NO insulation. There is like absolutely no weather-proofing to this house, the door lets in cold air, some of the windows "leak", etc. Not to mention that the door downstairs is like a barn door with slats and only a sheet of plastic, so, again, a LOT of cold air comes in through there. We're slowly working on getting it weather proofed, just don't have the money to do any of it.

 

[dacjohns]

You could wrap it in a blue tarp.

 

[Bettacreek]

The BIL got a permit today. He says that he plans on cutting a load per day. The permit costs $15 per cord, and the dollar amount spent is the timeframe (in days) that you have to cut your amount. You have to choose from their list of areas to cut your wood from. One area per permit, so he just went with one permit for right now, and will renew it once his time is up or the cord is harvested, whichever comes first. That way he can choose a different area if there isn't much in this one. You're allowed to harvest any dead wood, standing or fallen.

Dac, I'm actually hoping to get some of that foamy stuff in a tube or can.