Page 24 - Georgia Forestry - Winter 2018
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Metro Atlanta Lumber Bans
During this legislative session, the Asso- ciation will seek to remove bans on the use of lumber by local municipalities. Over the past three years, the metro Atlanta cities of Dunwoody, Chamblee, Sandy Springs and Tucker have passed ordinances requiring developers to use “non-combustible” materials in any building or structure over three stories and exceeding 100,000 square feet — effectively banning the use of wood.
Unfortunately, the building codes are being used as an easy way to slow the growth of apartment construction by making many projects cost prohibitive. These policies are a major detriment to downstream markets for Georgia’s 97 sawmills, which is harmful to rural jobs and economies in forestry-dependent communities.
Stream Buffers in Georgia
Last session, the General Assembly passed a resolution creating a joint study committee on stream buffers in response to a piece of legislation that would seek to greatly expand buffers along Georgia waterways. Knowing the importance of private property rights to forest land- owners, GFA worked to include Dr. Dale Greene, dean of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, as a member of the study committee.
As the study committee releases its results and legislative action is con- sidered, the Association’s priority is to reiterate the results of Georgia’s Best Management Practices (BMP) for water. Georgia Forestry Commission Director Chuck Williams agreed that current BMPs are protecting stream banks without sacrificing private property rights.
“We are extremely proud of Georgia’s BMP program,” Williams said. “Our 2015 survey indicated just over 92 percent implementation rates, which is out- standing. We’ll be releasing our 2017 results soon, and I have no doubt that our overall implementation rates will con- tinue the good trend. The Commission’s water-quality foresters do an outstanding job of educating the various audiences affected by BMPs, and our forestry community does an equally outstanding job of recognizing the importance of BMP implementation.”
Serving the Southeast for 30 years.
BEACH TIMBER COMPANY, Inc.
We are pole, piling, and mulch manufacturers, focusing on procuring wood and buying timber.
Gary Strickland, Owner
(912) 632-2800
www.beachtimber.com
P.O. Box 763 • Alma, GA 31510
22 | GEORGIA FORESTRY
