Page 12 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 2 - Spring 2022

10 | GEORGIA FORESTRY
notification no later than 24 hours after moving onto the site. Information needed on the form is simple to acquire and includes harvester and landowner names and contact information, har- vesting location, bond information, and corresponding harvest dates. Once sub- mitted, the notification automatically goes to the government officials deter- mined during setup.
In Emanuel County, a copy of the notification is emailed to the Timber Harvest Group, which includes the offices of public works, tax assessor, code enforcement and administration. County Administrator Guy Singletary acknowledged that there was a “learning curve” involved in his county’s rollout, and “a few technical glitches with log-ins etc., which is to be expected.” He called the system a “one-stop shop” that’s easy to maintain and “much more efficient.” He said the county’s bond-verification capabilities have been enhanced through the system and that staff is seeing a reduction in administrative time — a commodity everyone covets.
“Loggers are busy,” Singletary said. “It doesn’t make sense for them to drive to an office when they can do this on their mobile phone. This gives them more time to do what’s profitable for them.”
All timber harvesters can use the system. However, the county or city must be participating for the notification process to work. As of February 2022, 29 counties have joined the system.
“Things are going well so far,” said GFC Forest Management Chief Scott Griffin, who has led the project for the commission. “We’re getting good feed- back. Technically, it’s a little different for harvesters, but once they get logged in, it’s good.”
Jon Hutcheson works in Gillis Ag & Timber’s Wood Procurement group, and he concurs.
“We struggled a bit at first, logging in,” Hutcheson said. “Nobody likes change and some of the guys who aren’t as computer savvy grumbled a bit. But it’s a lot quicker. Once you’ve saved the address as a favorite, all you have to do is click. It’ll be nice when the whole state comes online.”
GFC Director Tim Lowrimore couldn’t be prouder of the team that took this project to the finish line.
“I’m really excited about it,” Lowri- more said. “It’s strong partnerships that made this possible, and in talking with my counterparts in 13 Southern states, it sounds like this will serve as a model.”

As adaptation to the system continues
SEEDLING SALES
1-800-635-0162 (AL, AR, E. TX ,LA, MS, OK) 1-800-634-8975 (AL, FL, GA, SC, TN)