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NEWS RELEASE
Milam County Judge
July 23, 2007
With everything all the rainfall and everything green and growing
this year a burn ban is something that isn't even close to entering
anyone's mind. However, the time will come again when burn bans will be
in effect. Because that time will come again there are some of us that
have burn ban on the brain right now.
The question is not the implementation of a ban, but rather how we are
going to implement one in the future. One of the obstacles to the
effective implementation of a burn ban is the notification of the
public. While this may sound fairly simple it is becoming more and more
difficult.
The number of out of county landowners is increasing in Milam County.
These individuals are not as easily reached as the local folks. Even
though we have excellent media sources in the county not every body
listens to local radio or reads local newspapers.
One of the projects the local fire chief's association has been working
on is how to get the word out more effectively to more people. With the
primary goal of reaching all folks coming into the county and those
living in the county to make sure as many to make sure as many as
possible are aware of any burn ban implementation.
One logical idea has been brought up is the use of burn ban signs. Most
of you will say that is not a new idea. Signs have been used for years
in Milam as well as other counties to make the public aware of a burn
ban. The problem has been the placement of the signs.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) has certain rules,
guidelines, etc. as to placement of signs on the highway right of way.
They stipulate the type of sign and will allow placement at the edge of
their right of way, which sometimes will still be far from the road out
of the driver's view.
What better way to inform the general public, out of county folks
included, as to something as important as a burn ban then placing it
along the right of way of major state and federal highways that pass
through the county.
The burn ban signs could be placed on the same poles as speed limit
signs, county boundary signs, or any other existing sign pole. The signs
would be constructed similar to the watch for ice on bridge signs we
seldom see in Milam County. They could be folded up when a burn ban was
not in effect and folded open when needed.
Problem is TXDOT is the ruler of the right of way and seems to have some
sort of a problem with the placement of burn ban signs. Ice on a bridge
is certainly a danger to public safety, but the reality is that burn
bans have a much greater potential to destroy life and property than
does ice on a bridge. Not to mention that burn bans are much more
frequent than ice on bridges in Milam County.
I worked last session with Senator Ogden and Representative Gattis to
try to get some sort of legislation passed that would place burn bans
sings in a prominent position where they belong. For whatever reason
that legislation didn't make it out of the session.
This is an important issue not just for Milam County, but the entire
state. Most of you can remember what happened in the panhandle counties
a couple of years back. It can be argued that burn ban signs would not
have prevented the devastation of those fires, but it certainly would
not have hurt to have them in place either.
I can't understand why TXDOT and the state are so opposed to such an
important issue. Other states such as Colorado and New Mexico have BIG
signs that you can't miss right on the highway. So why can't Texas?
The state requires counties to pay for a percentage of the purchase of
right of way for the construction of new highways. I propose that
counties be allowed to use their percentage of the right of way to post
burn ban signs. |
