The OP's profile shows he is in Santa Cruz, CA and yours indicates you are in Ludowici, Ga, a distance of approximately 2500 miles. Since you are literally on the opposite side of the country from where this transpired, I seriously doubt that you have more insight into the situation than Bob95065.
From what I understand there was a private contractor performing the work under a contract that they had won. While the government set the terms of the bid and the contract, they are not involved in the day to day affairs at the work site. The contractor was undoubtedly awarded the bid based on having the lowest bid and that bid was determined by the contractor performing the tasks to complete the job in the shortest time period with the least expense.
While others may view the disposal of the trees as waste, the contractor is only viewing them as an obstacle to completing the road on time. For them the simplest and most expedient method is to remove them to an off-site location. From their standpoint it is not economically feasible to do anything other than that.
Would they be better used if they did not go to the dump? I think we all agree that there were other options, but they would probably cost the contractor in terms of time and money. Also, from a liability standpoint they need to keep all non employees off the job site.
While I realize it is easy to blame everything on the "government", sometimes a little analysis will reveal that not to be the case.
Guido, I think you hit the nail on the head. This situation involved a private contractor working for the state. They are interested in building roads not firewood. They left it in place for weeks and I got what I could. I am thankful that I got about 5 cords of free wood with minimal work on my part. I am not whining in any way that I didn't get my fair share. It is sad to me to see really good wood go to waste. My wife thinks I am nuts because I hoard chainsaws and firewood. There is never enough. It's hard to watch wood I can use go in the dumpster.
The foreman on the job site told me that he could be fired if I got hurt in the work area if I went in while they were there. I understand what he is saying. Like another poster said I live in sue-happy California. It's not as bad here as LA but still people see an injury in a work area as an opportunity to get rich at someone else's expense. Never mind that the party sueing was operating their own equipment and they hurt themselves, they will still sue. The laws in this state make no sense to me at all. Did you know that if I leave a firearm accessible in my home and you break in my house and steal my gun and then shoot some one we are both going to prison? As if it were my fault YOU stole my gun and shot someone. Anyway, I'll get back on track...
There are two root causes to this problem: First, the trees were in the way of highway construction. They are there to build a road and they needed to move the wood. Second, they couldn't drop wood off at my place or anyone else's because of fear of lawsuits. I did come out ahead because I loaded my truck level with the roof of the cab six times while the wood was there. In looking back I am surprised how long they left it out before they dumped it. In fact if I didn't have this day job I could have cleaned them out completely.
Another part of the problem may be my personality. I am a mechanical engineer. I know engineers can be quirky - I work with them all day. Part of that is they hate waste and try to optimize things. I am guilty. It's worse when it involved firewood.
To address the government waste thing, I don't think the state had any bearing on what was done with the wood. They may be innocent in this case. I work for a government contractor and when I started 16 years ago I was appalled at the incredible waste they generated on a daily basis. It still bothers me. That's another story.
Thanks for the posts. I love this board.
Bob in Santa Cruz, CA