ATLANTA – State Representative James Burchett (R-Waycross), Chairman of the House Judiciary Non-civil Committee, applauds the State Forestry Commission and local law enforcement officials’ actions to combat the theft of palmetto berries on private forestland in southeast Georgia since the enactment of House Bill 966. During the 2020 legislative session, Rep. Burchett sponsored HB 966 to regulate the harvest and sale of palmetto berries, as well as increase penalties and establish chain-of-custody protocols for those harvesting the berries.
“As a strong supporter of private property rights and Georgia’s forest landowner community, I am pleased to see House Bill 966, the first bill I passed out of the state legislature, working to deter criminal activity on private timberland by giving our law enforcement community the authority they need to catch and prosecute theft,” said Rep. Burchett. “Emboldened by the passage of HB 966, the Georgia Forestry Commission has been working closely with state and local law enforcement officials to address more than 50 reports of theft this year alone, and the harvest season has just begun. This legislation was created in direct response to property owners’ concerns surrounding palmetto berry theft, and I am grateful for our partnership with Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources and the State Forestry Commission who have worked diligently to ensure that those who violate this law are held accountable and that hard-working Georgia landowners have a resource to protect their crops from these thieves.”
Under HB 966, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) law enforcement officers have the authority to work with state and local law enforcement officials to investigate reports of palmetto berry theft. GFC has secured seven arrest warrants, and arrests have been made by both Georgia Forestry Commission and local law enforcement agencies in August. More arrests are expected as berry season progresses and surveillance efforts increase. “Theft by taking” of illegally harvested palmetto berries valued under $1500 is a misdemeanor and is a felony if over $1500.
According to the GFC, the berries are a $130-$150 million global market, as they are used to treat medical conditions including prostate issues, hair loss and inflammation. Palmetto berries grow naturally throughout remote areas in South Georgia’s pine forests and are prone to theft by trespassers who collect the berries in the middle of the night when landowners and others are absent. In Georgia during a high yield crop season, illegally harvested berries have been estimated for a loss of $500,000 plus to landowners.
The Georgia Forestry Association (GFA), a trade association representing forest landowners, manufacturers and businesses across the state, worked with Rep. Burchett to develop this legislation to address the concern of their landowner members.
To report criminal forestry activity, including palmetto berry theft, timber theft or arson fires, contact GFC investigators at 1-(800) GA-TREES (428-7337) or via email at enforcement@gfc.state.ga.us.
Representative James Burchett represents the citizens of District 176, which includes all of Atkinson and Lanier counties and portions of Lowndes and Ware counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2019 and currently serves as Chair of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety, Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight and Transportation committees. He is also an Ex-Officio member of the Judiciary Committee.
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