Minnesota Governor Pawlenty Signs Emergency Executive Order Assisting Ham Lake Fire Relief Efforts In Cook County

Order will help in efforts to restore telephone service and other infrastructure

June 11, 2007 -- Minnesota Governor Pawlenty today signed an emergency executive order waiving certain restrictions for drivers of commercial vehicles engaged in relief efforts to restore telephone service and other infrastructure within Cook County. Damage to Cook County’s infrastructure was caused by the Ham Lake Fire last month, which burned approximately 75,000 acres.

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The following is the text of Emergency Executive Order 07-07:

I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Minnesota Statutes, section 221.0269, do hereby issue this Emergency Executive Order:

WHEREAS, from approximately May 5 through May 19, 2007, a massive forest fire named the Ham Lake Fire raged through areas of Cook County, Minnesota, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Canada; and

WHEREAS, portions of the Gunflint Trail and surrounding areas were evacuated and more than 1,000 fire fighters were needed to battle the fire; and

WHEREAS, approximately 75,000 acres were burned and more than 130 structures were totally destroyed by the fire; and

WHEREAS, the fire caused significant damage to structures and the infrastructure, including electrical, telephone and other services to homes, cabins and businesses within Cook County; and

WHEREAS, efforts to restore infrastructure damaged by the fire is underway, relief from certain motor carrier restrictions is now necessary to restore infrastructure services in a timely manner in the affected area.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby declare that:

1. A state of emergency exists in Minnesota that requires relief from regulations incorporated in Minnesota Statutes, section 221.0314, subdivision 9, pertaining to hours of service for carriers and drivers of commercial motor vehicles, while engaged in relief efforts to restore telephone service and other infrastructure within Cook County.

2. Nothing herein shall be construed as to relieve motor carriers and drivers from regulations pertaining to qualifications of drivers, driving of commercial motor vehicles, commercial drivers’ licenses, drug and alcohol testing and use, or financial responsibility.

3. No motor carrier operating under the terms of this emergency order shall require or allow a fatigued or ill driver to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who informs a carrier that he or she needs immediate rest shall be given at least eight consecutive hours off-duty before the driver is required to return to service.

4. Upon the expiration date of this emergency order, or when a driver has been relieved of all duty and responsibility to provide direct assistance to the emergency effort, a driver that has had at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty shall be permitted to start his or her on-duty status hours of service record at zero.

This order shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect until 12:00 p.m. CDT July 11, 2007, unless superseded or extended under Minnesota statutes, section 221.0269, subdivision 2.

Source: Minnesota Governor