Loggers Oppose “Heavy Access Permit” as Proposed by County at Quorum Court Meeting
February 19th, 2013 by Joe BurgessApproximately a dozen logging and construction contractors attended the Drew County Quorum Court meeting, Monday night, after hearing rumors about the county’s proposed “heavy use access permits”, that included fines and potentially jail time as penalties for it’s violation.
County Judge Robert Akin described the ongoing problems with damaged roads and ditches, along with logs and debris being left in county road ditches by some loggers. The Judge complemented the contractors in the room for the good reputations they’ve earned, but added there are others that aren’t up to the same standards.
The proposed program would have required advance permission before setting up a logging operation on a county road, a time limit on the work site, and damaged to be repaired in 24 hours. The issue was tabled, and discussion from all parties involved is expected during the upcoming month.
Choose another article
Newer article: Career Opportunity at Holiday Inn Express
Older article: Dr. Paul Francis Discusses Heirloom Seeds at TEA Party Meeting
I think this would be a good idea. We are all tired of the debris left in the roads that damage our vehicles.
You go Judge. They leave a lot of trash around, 5 gal oil buckets, a lot of logs and tops in the road ditches that plug drains.
They should be held responsible for fixing back the ditches and roads. It’s not like they aren’t making money.
How about the idea of “leave it better than you found it”.
This is already how Ashley county does it. It’s time drew county steps up and get with the program like all the other counties. L
Shut down the logging industry and you
Will hurt the economy of south Ark.
They pay their taxes and permits.
I would agree that anyone should remove limbs and such out of ditches, but not posting notice of this being considered is wrong. Why don’t they QC post an agenda before they met to allow concerning parties to be there, finding out through the rumor mill seems so back handed. Loggers don’t become millionaires as some might believe, they work hard and most would do their best to leave a clean area. I personally enjoy tissue Paper to the thought of tissue Plastic.
I totally agree. Most loggers do clean up after the job is finished, but All should. :)
I don’t think the QC should make the loggers turn in permits to log in this county. They should leave their job site clean of trash no debris left in our roads or ditched and cealn up any oil that has leaked on the ground. It wouldn’t be hard to find out who left a job site in this condition. The ones that do then the county should issue fines. But don’t punish the loggers that are doing right.
Let’s see, loggers buy fuel, (taxed) they buy groceries, (taxed), they buy parts, (taxed) they buy tires, (taxed) they eat at our restaurants, (taxed). Doesn’t Drew County have a 1 cent sales tax for roads, do loggers contribute to that tax. What about the jobs that are created from the logging industry. There’s no other industry or employer creating more jobs in this County. So what is the County doing with the money. Hey got an idea, lets fix the roads that get damaged by log trucks, I think that’s what we pay these taxes.