Changes to

Fayette County's tree protection law will be discussed in at least one

more work session before being offered to the public for input.

The county

Planning Commission is considering a new section of the ordinance that

deals with commercial logging operations.

Changes being

considered would require a 50-foot untouched buffer around property being

clear cut, and would require retention of at least ten six-inch diameter

trees per acre in addition to the buffers.

"We're

trying to lessen the impact of this type operation, in this suburban county,

on the adjacent property," said county engineer Ron Salmons as the

Planning Commission discussed the changes last week.

If the changes

are approved, timbering companies also will be required to gravel the

entrance to any timbering site, to prevent trucks from tracking mud onto

roads. And if they do track mud, they'll have to clean it up.

"We fight

this battle on mud on our roads and streets everyday," said Salmons.

Cleanup after

the timbering is finished also is addressed, but a forestry representative

last week convinced commissioners to take another look before enacting

one requirement. Under proposed changes, companies would be required to

clean up all debris from clear-cut sites, but the forestry representative

said leaving the debris on the ground for at least a year actually helps

prevent soil erosion until the site can be replanted.

Salmons will

rework some sections of the regulations and bring the changes back to

the commission for more discussion March 15.

If the Planning

Commission approves the changes, its recommendation will go to the county

Board of Commissioners for final action.