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Bill to require permits for logging in gated communities sparks industry pushback and is defeated
Summary
Senate Bill 385, which would have required permits and inspections for certain logging inside gated communities, drew opposition from forestry and timber associations citing voluntary BMPs and practical problems with definitions; the committee debated definitions and enforcement and the motion to pass was defeated.
Senate Bill 385, presented by State Senator Allen Clark (District 13), would have required permitting and inspection for logging activities in gated communities in specified circumstances—references in the transcript included thresholds such as logging on more than three acres or cutting more than a set number of trees of certain diameter. Clark said the bill responds to localized incidents of clear-cutting within residential gated communities and argued best practices and oversight must be adapted for such settings. "When you bought property in a gated community, and they start clear cutting around your house... they're gone," Clark said, urging protection for homeowners.
The Arkansas Forestry Association and the Arkansas Timber Producers Association opposed the bill. Max Braswell, executive vice president of the Arkansas Forestry Association, told the committee the forestry sector supports a voluntary forestry best-management-practices (BMP) program and warned against converting those programs to mandatory regulations. "We do not have an interest in being a regular, logger... this is not a forestry BMP issue," Braswell said, arguing remedies already exist and that mandatory regulation would be unnecessary.
Larry Bacarosa, executive director of the Arkansas Timber Producers Association, echoed concerns about existing BMP training, enforcement channels and the possibility that deed covenants or property-owner association rules already address many issues raised. Committee members pressed on operational details: Senator Gilmore asked whether the bill defined "gated community," and others asked whether the bill would require loggers to stop work pending inspection or how county-to-county differences in permitting could affect enforcement. Industry witnesses and an association representative said there is no general statewide permit requirement to log and that the bill did not intend to halt operations pending inspection.
After debate and questions, the committee moved to pass the bill; several members voiced opposition during the roll-call and the motion did not carry. The chair thanked members and asked Secretary Ward and State Forester Joe Fox to meet after the meeting.
The transcript contains detailed testimony about voluntary BMP programs, training requirements under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and anecdotal references to incidents in Hot Springs Village and Diamond Head. The bill was discussed at length; the committee ultimately recorded opposition and did not advance the measure.
