SMITH COUNTY, Texas — Smith County officials are warning tree removal companies to avoid illegally dumping tree debris.
In a press release, Tommy Goodman, the Smith County Sheriff's Environmental Crimes Unit deputy, said businesses that are paid to remove trees cannot dump or burn debris, and must take it to a landfill or a business that can dispose of debris properly.
According to the press release, Smith County has received reports of businesses and tree removal companies charging people money to remove fallen trees only to dump them on vacant properties and county roads. Goodman said this is commercial illegal dumping and is a state felony, which carries up to two years in a state jail facility or a fine.
After the first round of severe weather in Smith County on May 23, county officials have been assisting residents living on county roads. Residents living on county roads can push their tree debris out on the rights of way, and the Road and Bridge Department will pick them up over the next two weeks. Smith County emphasized that only people who live on county roads can dispose of their tree debris in this way, and residents living inside a city limit or state-owned road are not allowed to move tree debris to a county road.
This is a free service the county is offering to help residents in cleaning after the storm.
“We are helping the citizens who live on county roads by picking up their tree refuge from the storms,” Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said, “If you’re a business, then you know better and you need to take care of it the right way.”
Other debris, such as metal or structural materials, will not be picked up by the Road and Bridge Department, and will be reported as illegal dumping.
Officials also declared that people who live in private subdivisions are responsible for clearing and discarding their own storm debris, and bringing debris out onto the county road entrance is prohibited.