SPRINGFIELD – It’s almost time to talk turkey about timber in Effingham County.

Development Services is set to conduct a public meeting about changes to the Effingham County Timber Operations Ordinance that went into effect July 1.

The meeting is set July 25 at 9 a.m. in the Effingham County Administrative Complex Training Room at 804 S. Laurel St.

“We are going to go over changes to the state law, some changes to the county ordinance and changes made operation-wise,” Planner I Samantha Easton said. “It’s for timber harvesters and logging (operators).”

Individuals and firms that have submitted for timber notifications or permits in Effingham County in the past or are based here, have been notified about the meeting. They must comply with law changes whether they attend the meeting or not.

One of the key changes for timber harvesters is a Georgia law that makes use of a statewide notification website GA Timber Harvest Notification at www.bit.ly/44IYWFt.

Notification allows for the taxation of timber harvesting at fair market value, provides for the efficient collection of the timber harvest tax, protects the environment and county road network, and helps ensure public safety.

Easton expects the meeting to be conclude in three hours or less.

“We’d like people to RSVP,” Easton said. “They can email me or call me.”

Easton’s email address is seaston@effinghamcounty.org. Her phone number is (912) 754-2128, ext. 4502.