Permits discussed for seismic tests in area

Published 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 8, 2014

DAILY LEADER / JULIA PENDLEY / Keith Carruth presents a request for sub-surface testing permits in Lincoln County. District Five supervisor Dudley Nations (left) looks on. Most of the testing will be done within Nations' district.

DAILY LEADER / JULIA PENDLEY / Keith Carruth presents a request for sub-surface testing permits in Lincoln County. District Five supervisor Dudley Nations (left) looks on. Most of the testing will be done within Nations’ district.

The Lincoln County Board of Supervisors on Monday discussed permit applications submitted by Denbury Resources Inc. to begin seismic testing in the local area.

The company’s objective is to map the sub-surface areas in Lincoln County by measuring vibrations underground.

The testing will involve the company placing various seismic monitoring devices throughout the designated area that will be programmed to “listen” for vibrations that may indicate sub-level structures.

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After the monitors are placed in the area, a third party inspection crew will investigate the monitors to ensure that all regulations are being followed.

Once the inspection is complete, Denbury will begin the seismic testing.

The company will use Vib-trucks to activate the monitors, but Denbury representatives at the meeting assured the board that road blocks for testing should be avoidable with help from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.

Denbury hired Resource Acquisition Services to coordinate seismic testing.

Keith Carruth, permit agent for RAS, said the seismic testing is no danger to children or animals that may come into contact with monitors.

“It is in Denbury’s best interest to keep everyone involved safe and happy and we will be around to ensure that they are,” said Carruth.

Denbury is offering landowners $5 per acre and will assume responsibility for any damage the company may cause to property.

Carruth further stated, “We want to cause as little damage as possible during testing and we will take care of anything that happens.”

Once the permits are granted to Denbury, the company will begin testing in the area around the first of October.

The board agreed to take the matter under legal advisement.

The board also discussed the progress of the Lincoln County tax assessor-collector’s website and the land rolls.

Tillmon Bishop, chancery clerk, said, “The great thing about it is that you can access our information from your office computer or cell phone.”

Although the website is undergoing continuous updates, officials say the website will be beneficial to the community.

Tax Assessor-Collector Rita Goss presented the land rolls to the board and announced that landowners have until Aug. 1, to bring any corrections to the office without the need to have a board motion to update the information.

In other action at the meeting, supervisors:

• Discussed a vicious dog ordinance draft. The draft suggests methods for having a dog declared dangerous as well as including possibilities of partnering with a local veterinarian and the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, but according to county attorney Bob Allen, all possible scenarios for the ordinance are still under advisement.

• Heard from Annie Jackson about continuing the funds to support South Mississippi Children’s Center in Hattiesburg. The center is responsible for caring for abused children and is the only shelter in south Mississippi.

• Accepted the request to cover the tuition cost from the Lincoln County Sheriff Department to send two employees to a dispatcher class.