The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net
regulations for local hunting camps
By PETRA JONES
The Marion County Commission is in the process of drafting an ordinance to regulate hunting camps. In an attempt to keep the county informed, Steve White, County Building Code & Zoning administrator, recently sat down with the newspaper to explain what the ordinance is expected to include.
“I acknowledge that it is hard to please everyone,” White said. “However, concerning the proposed hunting camp conditions, members of the Zoning Board and the County Commission have gone to great lengths to achieve this. Hopefully we have put together a plan that will serve the needs of everyone.”
Most residents have no problem with hunting and fishing activities, or the visitors. However, residents do not like the possibility of pollution of groundwater or land associated with the improper disposal of waste. Other concerns citizens have voiced are target practice safety and the close proximity of hunting camps to residences (for reasons including
This list of proposed conditions was formulated by a number of agencies, including a local six member (community service) zoning board, state environmental health agencies, and other municipalities. The county commissioners tentatively approved the proposed regulations for hunting camps during their June meeting. The conditions were then given to the county attorney to be reviewed and placed in an ordinance format, which will be voted on in the near future.
Residents need to know that hunting camps will be allowed under these tentative conditions. However, the Zoning Board must approve each application for permit. This formality will occur so that each hunting camp owner will understand the conditions. In the event that the Zoning Board denies a Hunt Camp’s request for permit, a public hearing will then be held with the County Commission. Concerning hunting camp permits, at this time there is nothing definitive in place, but hunting camp units may (in the near future) be required to purchase a permit and sticker for display. This is purely a means of insuring all hunting camps are properly E-911 addressed and conforming to conditions. As to the matter of hunting camp permit fees, White says it is only fair that the actual camp unit, and not county residents pay for any services (such as E-911 and inspection).
The proposed regulations are listed below.
Proposed Regulations
for Hunting Camps
A. A “hunting camp unit” is defined as any temporary domicile, excluding mobile or manufactured housing. Examples are but not limited to: RV's, travel trailers, sheds, tents, shacks, buses and vans.
B. Sanitary facilities shall conform to county and state health regulations. Each hunting camp shall have one “porta-toilet” per every five hunting camp units (RV, travel trailer, tent, or shack).
C. Electrical connections shall meet requirements of uniform building code.
D. All structures and activity areas (including hunting stands) shall be located at least 100 feet from all property lines.
E. Activities shall not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic, or historic feature.
F. Outside storage and game processing areas shall be appropriately screened from view on all sides.
G. All parking and camping structures shall be screened by forest or landscape at a minimum distance of 300 feet from property boundary lines or public roads and right of ways. If this cannot be accomplished by natural means year round, then this will be accomplished by a six-foot privacy fence constructed from pressure treated material and located a distance of not less than 300 feet from property line and/or public roads and right of ways.
H. Existing wooded buffers shall be preserved for a minimum depth of 50 feet (no land clearing or brush cutting).
I. Preserve the rural and scenic quality of the landscape, particularly as viewed from public roads and adjoining residential lots.
J. For the purpose of zeroing, sighting, and target practice, appropriate earth berms and mounds shall be constructed so as to prohibit projectiles from leaving the firing range. No zeroing, sighting, or target practice shall occur after sunset.
K. Hunting camps must have 911 designation numbers at road entrance. Numbers must be visible from the road.
L. All camps must be accessible for zoning and tax assessing purposes.
M. Each hunting camp unit must purchase and display a Marion County Hunting Camp Permit yearly.