Workers’ re-mark ‘witness tree’ boundaries at Thurmond Project

USACE, Savannah District
Published Nov. 24, 2021

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District contracted R&D Maintenance Services, and
work began Nov. 15, to inspect and re-paint a 4-inch band around half of each boundary tree for approximately 50
miles of the existing boundary line at J. Strom Thurmond Project.

In certain areas, to make the boundary line less obtrusive in adjacent subdivisions, the “witness tree” blaze width is
reduced to 2 inches painted on one quarter of the tree. This year, crews will work primarily on the most western
boundary starting near Little River Access/ Hwy 78, within McDuffie County, and ending near the entry of Lloyd
Creek, north of Clay Hill Campground within Lincoln County.

The work encompasses boundary lines in Thompson Boating Club, Gresham Park Boating Club, Clay Hill and Fish
and Ski Boating Club, as well as Holliday Park, Amity Recreation Area and Clay Hill Campground.

The work crews scrape old paint off the witness trees and use bright orange paint to make boundary lines more
visible and easier to identify. They also trim heavy brush to clear the boundary line between the painted trees. The
marked trees do not delineate the exact boundary; instead, they “witness” the approximate boundary line. The exact
line can only be located by surveying the monuments and pins. If in-ground boundary survey pins are not visible,
workers will dig to expose them.

“Painted trees are a guide to locating the physical boundary pins installed in the ground,” Rebecca Downey,
Thurmond Lake Shoreline Ranger, said. “When buying property or planning to build on your land adjacent to public
property, a professional survey is a good investment. Monument pins should never be disturbed from their
permanent locations. If you don’t see a pin, please call our office so we can help you and correct the situation.”

The contractors complete work on-foot with hand tools. In most cases, workers will avoid crossing private property.
In the event the contractor cannot access public land without first crossing over private property, all efforts will be
made to contact the owner for permission and to avoid impacts to private property.

“It is also important to know the location of the boundary line when removing trees or vegetation from your private
property,” Downey said. “It is illegal to remove trees from public land without a permit. It is like going on your
neighbor’s property and removing trees. In instances where trees are removed without permission, the penalty can
be a combination of fines and a requirement to replace trees.”

Adjacent property owners should remove any personal property items that may have crossed the government line
and pets should not be unattended on public land, especially when workers are present.

“Work to repaint the government boundary line will continue through the autumn and winter and wrap up before
spring arrives,” Downey said.

For questions or concerns call the Thurmond Lake office at 800-533-3478, ext. 1140.

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Contact
Cheri Dragos-Pritchard, Public Affairs Specialist,
912-652-5014
912-677-6039 (cell)
Cheri.E.Dragos-Pritchard@usace.army.mil

Release no. 21-026