California IN BRIEF : SANTA ROSA : Ban Riles Mushroom Lovers

Anger over a ban on hunting wild mushrooms in state parks along the Sonoma County coast is growing among lovers of the delicacies. Officials recently imposed the rule to protect wild chanterelle, Boletus edulus and other prized fungi. “People have been getting mushrooms up along the coast forever,” said Alvin Panelli of Occidental. “I just think the whole thing is an infringement on our way of life.” Mushroom picking has been illegal in most parks, but until a few weeks ago, officials allowed the practice along the Sonoma coast and set a limit of five pounds per person. “Philosophically, state parks are places where ecosystems are left intact,” said Carl Chavez, state parks regional director. But longtime mushroom hunters argue that fears of harming the plants are unfounded. Said John Gonnella of Occidental: “You have to realize that picking the mushrooms is like picking apples. You pick the apples, but you don’t kill the tree. The same goes for mushrooms.”