News Briefs

Sale of commercial salal permits scheduled

Olympic National Forest will begin selling commercial salal harvest permits starting from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Quilcene office, 295142 Highway 101 S., Quilcene.

Fifty permits are available to harvest areas in Mason County, the east side of Clallam County and the east side of Jefferson County, according to a Forest Service news release.

Anyone harvesting salal to sell must have a commercial-use permit while picking, the release states.

Permits cost $150 paid by cash or check only, with one permit per person.

Purchasers must be at least 18 and have valid federal or state picture identification.

If permit demand exceeds supply, a lottery system will be used, according to the Forest Service.

For more information, contact Olympic National Forest at http://www.fs.usda.gov/olympic or 360-765-2200.

Big cat sanctuary still closed

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center for big cats on Harstine Island is still under quarantine after losing at least 20 animals in December due to avian influenza, founder Mark Mathews told the Journal in an email Jan. 7

The center is closed for visits until the quarantine is lifted, according to its website as of Tuesday.

PUD 1 rebates extended

Low-income conservation rebates have been extended by PUD 1 after the utility received grant funding from the Bonneville Power Administration, according to a news release.

“The grant includes funding for 30 additional washer or dryer appliance rebates up to $800 each (limit one washer and dryer per customer, not to exceed $1,600) and 22 ductless heat pump rebates up to $6,000 each for qualifying equipment,” according to the release.

Customers must be pre-approved by PUD 1’s conservation department before hiring a contractor or purchasing the appliances and approval and installation/purchase must happen no later than June 30, according to the utility.

More information and an application is available at http://www.mason-pud1.org/rebates or by calling Cassandra at 360-877-5249.