The courts of this State may order the Director or his representative to secure 3 independent value appraisals to determine the stumpage value of wrongfully cut timber or trees under Section 2 of this Act. Such order must state the reason the value information is needed, the parties involved in the action, the area to be examined and other information needed by the Department to carry out its responsibilities. The court must instruct all parties to the court action to make themselves available to the Department at reasonable times to assist in the location of areas and material to be examined. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the parties shall bear equally the cost of expenses incurred, including but not limited to those for surveys, consulting services, attorney’s fees, and administrative costs. The court shall allow a plaintiff who prevails to recover the cost of expenses incurred.