Restrictions Waivered on Delivery Trucks Carrying Emergency Drought Relief

Executive order waivers certain highway size and weight restrictions on trucks.

August 29, 2007

ROBESON COUNTY NC NEWS -- The Governor has issued an executive order allowing vehicles transporting hay or water along North Carolina roadways to drought-stricken counties to exceed the normal size and weight restrictions. The executive order waiver's certain highway size and weight restrictions for trucks, so to speed delivery of emergency drought relief to farmers.

The waiver allows trucks to have the maximum gross weight criteria established by the manufacturer or 90,000 pounds, whichever is less, with a tandem axle weight of up to 42,000 pounds and a single axle weight up to 22,000 pounds. A vehicle may be 12 feet in width and 75 feet in length. Under normal circumstances, trucks can have up to 80,000 pounds total gross weight, a tandem axle weight of 38,000 pounds and 20,000 pounds for a single axle. The normal size regulations are a width of eight feet, six inches and a length of 70 feet.

These exemptions allow more hay and water to be transported during each shipment. The executive order is effective immediately and will remain in effect for up to 30 days. An exempted vehicle must produce identification verifying its load will be used for emergency relief efforts associated with the drought.

Governor Mike Easley said, "The drought has caused many farmers to dip into their winter hay supplies in order to feed their livestock this summer. Waiving these restrictions on trucks will help farmers get hay and other feed to their animals so that can stay in business during the drought."

Last week, Governor Easley requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare 85 North Carolina counties as agricultural disasters because of drought-related crop losses. Federal Agriculture Department Loss Assessment Reports show most of the counties in the state with a 30 percent or greater loss of at least one significant crop.

Executive Order + Request for Drought Disaster Declaration Letter

In addition, the N.C. Division of Forest Resources last week banned open burning and canceled all burning permits throughout North Carolina. The ban on open burning is deemed necessary due to high wildfire activity and drought weather conditions statewide. Currently more than 100 firefighters are battling 130 wildfires in Robeson County alone. Overall, there were 46 new wildfires affecting more than 370 acres across North Carolina.

The drought has spread to all 100 of the state's counties. Exceptional drought is now in 12 counties in western North Carolina. Extreme drought has moved from the Piedmont to the coastal plain and is affecting 28 counties. Severe drought is in 44 counties and has spread to Wilmington and other southeastern communities. The remaining 16 counties are in moderate drought.

In an effort to conserve water, the governor has asked all citizens to cut back their water consumption 20 percent since the drought is not expected to let up anytime soon.

Governor Easley said, "Stream flows and groundwater levels are approaching their lowest levels in recorded history and many of our reservoirs are declining by one foot every 10 days. We all must conserve if we are to, in any way, minimize the impact of the drought."

Finally, all state agencies have been directed in all 100 counties throughout North Carolina to stop nonessential water use as the drought has spread statewide.