EPA ponders Ga. logging rule changes
Agency found no violations at Wilkinson site even though some say erosion, other damage evident

Dealing with a controversial Wilkinson County logging site has led the federal Environmental Protection Agency to pursue changes to Georgia's guidelines for logging in wetlands and river sloughs.

The Tobe Lake tract near the Oconee River off Sandy Creek Road has been the subject of close scrutiny for more than a year. Its owners questioned the logging practices allowed by Thompson Hardwoods, which owns the timber harvesting rights. Some of the landowners asked for help from environmental advocacy group Altamaha Riverkeeper.

At issue is whether loggers damaged stream ecosystems and caused erosion with their stream crossings, skid trails and other harvesting practices.

Both the Georgia Forestry Commission and EPA have inspected the site repeatedly, with the commission giving it high marks for following "best management practices," a series of forestry guidelines intended to protect water quality. The guidelines aren't law, but they help loggers avoid breaking the law. Hurting aquatic animals and plants can lead to Clean Water Act violations.

The EPA sent a letter last week to James Holland, the Altamaha riverkeeper, describing deep ruts, turnouts that dump muddy runoff into wetlands, and streams clogged by logging debris bridges. Best management practices are meant to deal with these behaviors, but they are open to interpretation.

Although Tom Welborn, chief of the EPA's wetlands, coastal and nonpoint source branch, said Thompson Hardwoods generally followed best management practices, he said the state needs to re-examine what those guidelines allow.

The EPA's first visit to the Wilkinson tract last year found no Clean Water Act violations and few problems. But a second visit and photographs taken by Holland led the EPA to ask for changes from Thompson Hardwoods at Tobe Lake and changes in state guidance for loggers, Welborn said.

The letter from Welborn indicates that Thompson Hardwoods agreed to fill in ruts, restore stream banks, remove debris and use hay bales to prevent runoff at the logging site.

Steve Johnson, president of Thompson Hardwoods, declined to comment. Previously, company officials have said they respect the environment and use best management practices.

" We're pleased," Holland said. "I appreciate that the EPA stuck with us on this, and I thank Thompson Hardwoods for deciding to go back and do the right thing. ... I hope this will send a greater message to the timbering community that actions like these in our sloughs and creeks are not permissible and are not going to be allowed any longer."

Frank Green, water quality coordinator for the forestry commission, said he was confused by some of EPA's directions for cleaning up for the Tobe Lake property. The commission and EPA made some contradictory recommendations about stabilizing stream banks at crossings. The difference in how the agencies interpret the state's best management practices highlights the fluid nature of the voluntary guidelines.

Welborn said EPA is less concerned about this specific site than the larger issues it raises: Should timber companies be permitted to clear-cut sloughs? Welborn's letter to Holland says EPA wants scientific study of the long-term effects of slough clear-cutting.

" We need more work done in terms of water quality protection with those (best management practices)," he said. "Our primary interest was to look at revision."

Green said the commission welcomes more study of sloughs and bottomlands.

Holland said his organization is working with the EPA on applying for a grant to research the issue. "There's a chance we're going to get the science now that we wanted all along," he said.

Greg Milks, one of the Tobe Lake property owners, said the EPA has addressed some of his concerns, but he wants more radical changes to Georgia logging regulations. He would like best management practices to be law.

When it comes to wetlands, he said, "I feel like anything with water in it should not be clear-cut. There should be some shade left in it. ... When summer comes, the heat will just dry it out."