DEC scraps brush from burn ban
The DEC has released its revised plan to ban garbage burning and other polluting forms of open burning. A DEC official told me the only significant difference from the original rule is people will be allowed to burn brush, branches, and small trees in rural areas. Here's that revision:
The DEC received thousands of comments last summer at public hearings and in writing. Many complained because the original rule would have banned burning downed tree limbs and brush. (We here in the North Country know how many of those are lying around!)(a) On-site burning in any town with a total population less than 20,000 of downed limbs and branches (including branches with attached leaves or needles) less than six inches in diameter and eight feet in length between May 15th and the following March 15th.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the "total population" of a town shall include the population of any village or portion thereof located within the town. However, this subdivision shall not be construed to allow burning within any village.
The revised rule still bans burning plastics, including agricultural plastics, and it would, in effect, make the ubiquitous burn barrel illegal.
The agency is taking public comment in writing through June 26th. Read the revised regs and comment here.
posted by David Sommerstein @ 5/28/2009 04:26:00 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Finally. I hope they move forward with this much needed ban on the burning of trash.
My fear is that the county and townships have been sitting on their hands during this period of review and have not prepared for the problems that will be created by this regulation. I have not seen any action that will help people with disposal of trash. I should note the exception of the minimal work done with agricultural plastics in the area.
Transfer stations are remote for a number of people and curb-side pick-up can be expensive. If people actually heed the regulation and stop using burn barrels, I predict that road side waste will increase. (When asked how far he lived from town, he said, "About one Happy Meal.") The other option that may be employed by some will be to burn the trash in a garage wood stove or outdoor furnace.
Small townships will find themselves in the business of trash removal as they find themselves cleaning the roadsides.
How far are you from a transfer station? Do your local taxes cover trash removal?
Another regulation, another tax from the State of New York. Will the last person to leave New York State remember to shut off the lights at the State Capitol?
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