Section 1539.10  Seed Collection Program

 

a)         A seed collection program for the procurement of tree and shrub seeds will commence annually once the Division of Forest Resources and Natural Heritage determines the amount and types of species required to maintain the department's forestation programs.

 

b)         The public will be notified prior to August 31 by news release through the media of the Seed Collection Program delivery and location of Seed Collection Centers.

 

Section 1539.20  Seed Collection Permits

 

A seed collection permit is required to participate in the Seed Collection Program.  This permit is obtained in person through the Division of Forest Resources and Natural Heritage District offices and State Tree Nurseries. The addresses of the District Offices and Nurseries will be included in a news release.

 

a)         To be eligible for a Seed Collection Permit a person must possess a valid social security card.

 

b)         State of Illinois employees, their spouses, and other minor children are not eligible.

 

c)         The permit will include the following agreements:

 

1)         The specific species to be delivered,

 

2)         The poundage to be delivered,

 

3)         The date delivery is due, and

 

4)         The method of weighing the seed.

 

Section 1539.30  Conditions for Payments

 

a)         The prices to be paid for the seed will be established by the Division of Forest Resources and Natural Heritage and be based on market prices. The cost will be determined by considering an average of current seed catalogs, cost of cleaning and processing seed, and the Division's demand.

 

b)         Seed will be purchased only from individuals with a valid Seed Collection Permit at established prices.

 

c)         Seed must be mature, sound and free of debris.  Seed must be correctly identified and separated by species.  Seed must be packed to withstand moisture and handling.  Bags must be tagged appropriately to identify their contents.  All decisions made relative to these conditions will be made solely by the Division personnel at the Seed Collection Center and are final, binding, and conclusive.

 

d)         The seed must be weighed on scales mutually agreed upon by buyer and seller at the time the permit is issued.  All seed brought to the Seed Collection Centers is subject to validation weighing by Division personnel.

 

e)         The Division is not obligated to purchase seed collected over the poundage designated on the permit or seed delivered past the due date.

 

f)         No purchases of seed will be made for quantities that produce payments less than $25.00 or more than $600.00 to any one person.

 

g)         The collector assumes all risk and liability in the collection and transportation of seed authorized under this permit.  Seed deliveries will only be accepted during regular office hours and must be completed by the agreed upon delivery date.  Deliveries may only be made to the Collection Center that issued the permit.

 

h)         Payment will be made via a State of Illinois invoice voucher.  A check payable to the collector should be expected 60-90 days from the date of delivery of the seeds to the Seed Collection Center.

 

i)          When collecting seed from the property of others, permission must be obtained from the landowner or manager.

 

j)          The Division and the seller will agree upon a date to be included on the permit to report progress in obtaining the seller's quota.  This contact can be made either by delivery of seed that the seller has collected or by phone if the seller's collection effort does not justify delivery.  Failure to report seller's progress on the assigned date can result in the transfer of all or portions of seller's quota.