House lawmakers have rejected a proposal that would allow people to profit by pulling logs sunken long ago in Georgia rivers.

The House of Representatives voted 67-93 to reject the legislation Tuesday from Senate President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams.

His plan would have allowed the mining of deadhead logs, or logs that sunk when they were floated down the river so they could be sold a century ago or more. Supporters of the bill said the timber is highly prized and that the industry would create jobs.

Environmental groups argued that removing the logs could harm rivers, destroy underwater habitats and stir up pollutants and toxins now trapped on river bottoms.

Tags: logging, 2012 General Assembly, deadhead logging