LEA COUNTY

FENCE POLICY

1.0        PURPOSE:

To formulate a policy for authorizing the purchase of fence materials to be constructed along roads maintained by Lea County.

2.0        POLICY:

It is the policy of the Lea County Board of Commissioners that all requests for fence materials, due to fire, will be reviewed by the Lea County Road Advisory Committee prior to being presented to the Board of Commissioners for final action. The request for fence material shall be considered only for roads that are on the maintenance schedule of the Lea County Road Department.  Lea County will not provide corner post or "H" braces.

When fence material is requested in exchange for the removal of a cattle guard, the Lea County Road Superintendent shall adhere to all general provisions for new fences, review each request and submit application for fence material to the Chairman of the Lea County Board of Commissioners for final action.

3.0        GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR NEW FENCES:

3.1        Lea County will provide 2.0 miles of barbwire fence material in exchange for each cattle guard removed.  Not to exceed 660 T-post, 660 staves, 40 spools of barbwire, and 3,300 clips.          

3.2        Lea County will match an existing barbwire fence structure where at all possible.

3.3        Fence material provided at Lea County expense shall terminate at a cattle guard or fence structure.

3.4        A minimum of sixty (60) feet of right of way shall be granted to Lea County on an approved roadway easement form.

3.5        The landowner will be responsible for receiving the fence material at the Lea County Road Department located at 5915 Lovington Highway, Hobbs, N. M.

3.6        After approval is granted the landowner shall have six (6) months to complete the construction of the fence, and shall bear all cost of maintenance and responsibility for liability thereafter.

3.7        The Lea County Road Superintendent may offer a maximum of two cattle guards of pipe construction only to landowners in exchange for the road way easement.  The pipe guards must be of a condition not suitable for a public road.

3.8        All applications for request for fence materials shall be signed by the chairman of the Lea County Board of Commissioners

4.0        GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR REPLACEMENT OF BURNED OUT FENCES:

4.1        Lea County will match existing barb wire fence structure where at all possible.

4.2        The landowner shall present a copy of the fire department's report verifying the date and  location of the fire to the Lea County Road Advisory Committee within six months of occurrence.

4.3        After the Board of Commissioners grant approval to receive fence material, the landowner shall have six (6) months to complete the construction of the fence, and shall bear all cost of maintenance and responsibility for liability thereafter.

4.4        The landowner will be responsible for receiving the fence material at the Lea County Road Department located at 5915 Lovington Highway, Hobbs, N. M.

4.5        Fence material provided at Lea County expense shall terminate at a cattle guard or fence structure.

ADOPTED IN OPEN MEETING this 7th day of September, 1999.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

LEA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

Ken Batson, Chairman                                                   Harry Teague, Member

Ross Black, Member                                                     Zeak Williams, Member

                                         W. H. Brininstool, Member  

ATTEST:          Pat Chappelle, County Clerk

By:                                          

Deputy