Governor Perdue Extends Executive Order for Timber Industry

Governor continues  permits for oversize trucks removing burnt timbers

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue yesterday extended an Executive Order that allows permitting through August 31 for oversized trucks removing burnt timber from any of 21 southeast Georgia counties affected by wildfires this spring. These were the largest wildfires in Georgia's recorded history.

“The state of Georgia remains committed to helping the timber industry recovery from these devastating fires,” Governor Perdue said. “Extending this Executive Order makes it easier for these growers to recoup a portion of their losses from burnt timber that was not fully consumed.”

The fires began in mid-April and consumed more than 500,000 acres before being sufficiently contained in the Okefenokee Swamp by mid-June. As a result, Governor Perdue declared a State of Emergency in the following counties: Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Glynn, Lanier, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware and Wayne.

A copy of the Executive Order follows:

Whereas:               Due to the catastrophic damage to timber trees caused by the forest fires in the southern region of the State and bordering states, it has been determined that specific restrictions be lifted on trucks hauling burnt timber to accommodate  the emergency removal of burnt timber; and

 

Whereas:               It is requested that the State of Georgia allow vehicles transporting such loads to travel on pre-approved state maintained roadways as indicated by the permit; and

 

Whereas:               Authorization is granted to the Georgia Department of Transportation to issue overdimensional permits accommodating the movement of vehicles and loads as stated above with coordination and cooperation from law enforcement of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Motor Carrier Compliance Division is warranted.

 

Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, It is hereby

           

Ordered:                That weight, height, and length for any such vehicle on roadways maintained by the State of Georgia, shall not exceed the following:

 

(A)  A maximum gross vehicle weight for vehicles equipped with five (5) weight-bearing axles, with an outer bridge span of not less then fifty-one (51) feet shall not exceed a gross weight of ninety- five (95) thousand pounds, a maximum width of ten (10) feet and an overall length of one hundred (100) feet.  Continuous travel is authorized; with the proper escorts. 

 

(B)  If the width of said vehicle exceeds eight (8) foot six (6) inches and is traveling after daylight, defined as thirty (30) minutes before sunset to thirty (30) minutes after sunrise; the transporter is required to have a vehicle front and a rear escort/amber light when traveling on a 2-lane roadway and a vehicle rear escort is required when traveling on a 4-lane highway.  Transporters are responsible for ensuring they have proper oversize signs, markings, flags and escorts as defined in the Georgia Department of Transportation, Rules and Regulations 672-2-.06 and 672-2-.07.

 

Commercial vehicles allowed to operate outside the normal restrictions for such vehicles under the authority of this Executive Order shall be issued permits by the Department of Transportation, and such vehicles shall be subject to such special conditions as the Department may endorse on any such permits.  Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to allow any vehicle to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, nor shall anything in this Executive Order shall be construed to relieve any vehicle or the carrier, owner, or driver of any vehicle from compliance with any restrictions other than those specified in this Executive Order, or from any statute, rule, order or other legal requirement not specifically waived herein.

 

Permits may be issued by the Georgia Department of Transportation, Oversize Permit Unit, during normal business hours from 7:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday by calling 1-800-570-5428.

 

This Executive Order shall be valid through August 31, 2007.

 

                                    This the 1st day of August, 2007.

 

Governor Sonny Perdue