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Athens County authorizes prescribed burn on Hocking River conservation easement
Summary
The Board of Athens County Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 3 to permit Rural Action and contractors to conduct a prescribed burn on a 42.427‑acre conservation easement along the Hocking River to remove invasive species and prepare the riparian area for replanting; the action requires contractor insurance and a special‑flood‑hazard permit.
The Athens County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 3 to authorize a prescribed burn within a county‑held riparian conservation easement along the Hocking River.
Planner Connor LaVelle told the Board the burn, proposed by the property owner EJB Enterprises LLC in coordination with Rural Action, Inc. and Paradise Ecological Services, is intended to remove invasive species and prepare the site for seeding and reestablishment of native riparian vegetation. LaVelle said contractor insurance and qualifications have been provided to the county and that a Special Flood Hazard Development Permit application was submitted to the Planning Office.
The resolution specifies that no trees or other vegetation shall be removed from the easement without written Board approval and directs staff to coordinate public notice through EMA/911 and local fire authorities. The resolution records the easement as 42.427 acres recorded in the Athens County Recorder’s Office (Volume 629, Page 2600) and grants permission to Rural Action, Paradise Ecological Services and their agents to perform the burn in the easement area.
Commissioners Charlie Adkins and Chris Chmiel seconded and joined President Lenny Eliason in a roll‑call vote approving the resolution. The Board’s action included direction that staff confirm coordination with local fire officials and post public notice and on‑site signage.
Next steps identified by staff include confirming the burn schedule with the contractor, finalizing notices to emergency services and the public, and ensuring required insurance and permitting are in place before ignition.
