(a) If a timber operator believes that a forest officer lacked reasonable cause to issue or extend a stop order pursuant to Section 4602.5, the timber operator may present a claim to the Department of General Services pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 900) of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code for compensation and damages resulting from the stopping of timber operations.
(b) If the Department of General Services finds that the forest officer lacked reasonable cause to issue or extend the stop order, the department shall award a sum of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day for each day the order was in effect.