WHEREAS, the State of Florida has experienced a series of extensive forest and brush fires throughout the State beginning on or about May 25, 1998, and continuing through the date of this Order; and

WHEREAS, President Clinton issued a major disaster declaration for all Florida counties resulting from the extreme fire hazards; and

WHEREAS, to date over 260,000 acres of commercial timber lands have been burned or destroyed; and

WHEREAS, the current estimated dollar value of lost commercial timber is approximately $390,000,000; and

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to remove the fire-damaged timber in a speedy and effective manner; and

WHEREAS, removal of the burned timber is crucial to minimize economic loss, remove fuel in order to mitigate future wildfire hazards, and make ready the land for reforestation; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the destruction of this timberland, an emergency exists making it necessary to salvage and use as much of the damaged timber as possible in the shortest length of time possible so as to minimize total waste and rottage of this valuable natural resource; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to expedite the delivery of this perishable natural resource to consuming manufacturers both inside and outside the State of South Carolina.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me as Governor, pursuant to the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, I hereby direct the South Carolina Department of Public Safety to place a moratorium for sixty (60) days on the vehicle gross weight of vehicles set forth in Section 56-5-4140. However, the overall gross vehicle weight shall not exceed ninety-five thousand (95,000) pounds. The vehicles subject to this weight restriction waiver shall limit their operation to daylight hours.

This moratorium is for vehicles transporting trees and by-products from the devastation caused by the Florida wildfires.

This Order shall be effective immediately for a period of sixty (60) days. If warranted, this Order may be extended if it is deemed that the effort to salvage timbers needs to continue.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 5TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1998.

DAVID M. BEASLEY
GOVERNOR

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:19 A.M.