As a supervisor, I wish I had a nickel for every time I was asked for a load of gravel or dirt.

Well, I would have a lot of nickels.

The fact of the matter is that the law is very clear about what a supervisor can and can’t do. We are not allowed to work on private property or give away dirt or gravel. There are things that we are allowed to do. We can install culverts in new driveways. The property owner buys the culvert.

The landowner must first get with the road manager to determine a size and length. The county will then install the culvert and spread gravel up to the end of the county right of way supplying the gravel. All gravel the county delivers has to be spread by the county and cannot be stockpiled for use off of the right of way. The county will also replace culverts that are no longer functional at our expense.

There are instances that dirt can be put on private property, this is what we call spoil material.

When we clean ditches and road shoulders the excess debris has to be hauled off. It would only make sense to take it to the closest place for disposal, and we are allowed by law to put this on private property.

This is not something you would want on your lawn, but it may be suitable for erosion problems.

The county also is not allowed to go on private property to remove fallen trees, but if the landowner can place tree limbs beside the road, we will send our limb truck to haul this material off.

Please, if you have a private contractor cutting trees for you, remember it is their responsibility to haul off all material.

There are cases where your property may be at risk due to erosion and these can be handled through Emergency Watershed Protection programs.

A call to your supervisor and he or she can turn it in to local soil conservation officials to see if it meets the criteria for assistance.

This is just a brief overview of some of our cans and can’ts.

Always remember, as your county supervisors, we are here to work for you — within the boundaries of the law.

 

Mike Lazarus is the Adams County supervisor representing district 1.