House Bill 199 amended Georgia Code 12-6-24 to enhance the Timber Harvest Notification Process. Among the many positive changes in this code was the need to update and revise the current Notice of Timber Harvesting Activity Form. The updated form which will go into effect July 1, 2015 may be downloaded here.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, GFC will hold a 30-day public comment period beginning June 16, 2015. Anyone wishing to provide feedback on the updated Notice of Timber Harvesting Activity Form may do so via email to GFC’s Management Department Chief, Gary White, or in person at one of the following public hearings.
July 6, 2015
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
GFC Dawson County Unit
4500 Highway 53 East
Dawsonville GA 30534
July 7, 2015
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
GFC Chattahoochee District Office
187 Corinth Road
Newnan, GA 30263
July 8, 2015
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
GFC Putnam/Greene/Hancock Unit
2200 Centennial Church Rd
White Plains, GA 30678
July 13, 2015
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
GFC Satilla District Office
5003 Jacksonville Highway
Waycross, GA 31503
July 14, 2015
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Worth County Agricultural Center
102 Rebecca Drive
Sylvester, GA 31791
July 15, 2015
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Soperton Public Library
585 Second Street
Soperton, GA 30457
Georgia counties or municipal governing authorities may craft ordinances which require landowners or timber buyers to give notice prior to harvesting timber. This can ensure that counties can track ad valorem taxes as well as roadway access points to meet their regulations. Georgia Code 12-6-24 does not preclude counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions from enacting and enforcing tree ordinances, landscape ordinances, or streamside buffer ordinances; provided, however, such ordinances shall not apply to timber harvesting that is not associated with development.
Please convey any concerns about county ordinances by contacting GFC’s Water Quality Staff. To learn more and to find counties that have passed timber harvest ordinances as of November 2012, click here.