MS Temporary Hurricane Timber Salvage Permit for Log Trucks Extended Through May 6th

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused extensive damage to timber in Mississippi. Damaged timber must be salvaged quickly to ensure its marketability. Literal compliance by transporters of unprocessed timber products with the requirements in Section 63, Mississippi Statutes, relating to the weight limits for commercial vehicles, may impede the shipment of unprocessed timber products affected by the disaster.

To aid with timely salvage operations and to alleviate further economic damage to the Mississippi timber industry, the Mississippi Department of Transportation Office of Enforcement has issued a Temporary Order of Authority to allow the transport of unprocessed timber from the affected areas to the first point of storage or processing under the following guidelines. This Temporary Order is effective from February 6, 2006 until May 6, 2006. The affected counties are listed below and will be re-evaluated every 30 days. It is the transporter’s responsibility to be aware of any changes to this list of applicable counties.

1. The weight for any such commercial vehicle transporting unprocessed timber on specified roadways maintained by the State of Mississippi shall not exceed the following:
A. The maximum Gross Vehicle Weight for vehicles equipped with five (5) weight-bearing axles with outer bridge spans of not less than forty (40) feet, but less than fifty-one (51) feet, shall not exceed ninety thousand (90,000) pounds. Tandem axles shall not exceed 42,000 lbs. Steer axle shall not exceed 20,000 lbs
B. The maximum Gross Vehicle Weight for vehicles equipped with five (5) weight-bearing axles with outer bridge spans of not less than fifty-one (51) feet shall not exceed ninety-five thousand (95,000) pounds. Tandem axles shall not exceed 42,000 lbs. Steer axle shall not exceed 20,000 lbs
C. The maximum Gross Vehicle Weight for vehicles equipped with four (4) weight-bearing axles with outer bridge spans of not less than forty-three (43) feet shall not exceed eighty thousand (80,000) pounds. Tandem axles shall not exceed 42,000 lbs. Steer axle shall not exceed 20,000 lbs
D. The total length for any vehicle identified above shall not exceed eighty (80) feet. Rear overhang shall not exceed 28 feet. Daylight movement only for any overhang 4 feet or over.

2. Nothing in this Temporary Permit shall be construed to allow any vehicle to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, nor shall anything in this Temporary Permit be construed to relieve any vehicle or the carrier, owner, or driver from compliance with any restrictions other than those specified in this Permit, or from any statute, rule, order or other legal requirement not specifically waived herein including Mississippi registration, apportioned tags, or Mississippi temporary registration.

3. Nothing in this Temporary Permit allows any vehicle to travel on County maintained roadways. The County/Counties Board of Supervisors or Designee must be contacted for permits and routing information.

The original MDOT Order of Authority expired on November 6, 2005 and was replaced by an Order that expired on February 6, 2006. This Order is effective from February 6 through May 6, 2006. The new regulations are posted on MDOT’s website and also on the Mississippi Forest Recovery Task Force’s web blog. Visit either http://www.msforestry.blogspot.com/ or the MDOT website for complete information: http://www.gomdot.com/business/permits/Hurricane_Katrina_Temporary_Order.pdf The MDOT homepage is http://www.gomdot.com/


There are two pages in the Order on the MDOT website. The first is the necessary written permit which must be completed and faxed to the Law Enforcement Office for approval. This Permit must then be placed in the cab of each truck hauling the increased weight. The second page is a list of applicable MS counties.Since MDOT authorized these Temporary Orders of Authority, many questions have arisen about the new regulations. The best, most accurate answers to your trucking questions in Mississippi can be obtained directly from MDOT’s Law Enforcement Division personnel in Jackson, MS. You may call the following personnel at 601.359.1707 and receive answers to all your trucking inquiries:Chief Willie Huff, Joe Marshall, or Tommy Thames.

The Mississippi Forest Recovery Task Force and MFA wishes to thank the leadership of MDOT, and all the agency’s field enforcement personnel, for their full cooperation as together we continue to work to overcome many logistical obstacles related to timber salvage and recovery.Questions or request for applications should be directed to Permit Office in Jackson.Phone (888)737-0061, (601) 359-1707Fax #: (601)359-5928 or (601)359-1663Office Hours: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
The permittee must sign and fax the timber salvage permit (page 1 from website) to the permit office for approval.
The permittee must place a signed and approved copy of the Permit in the cab of the vehicle. If Permit is not in the vehicle it may be deemed not to be permitted and may be penalized accordingly.


http://www.gomdot.com/business/permits/Hurricane_Katrina_Temporary_Order.pdf

http://www.gomdot.com/

Applicable Mississippi Counties, Feb. 6 through May 6, 2006

Amite
Clarke
Copiah
Covington
Forrest
Franklin
George
Greene
Hancock
Harrison
Jackson
Jasper
Jefferson Davis
Jones
Lamar
Lauderdale
Lawrence
Leake
Lincoln
Marion
Newton
Pearl River
Perry
Pike
Scott
Smith
Stone
Walthall
Wayne