News

Town mulls burn ban

By Dollie Gull

ATHENS — Town officials in Athens, as in other municipalities in Greene County, are considering what stand they will take on the state’s proposed revisions to open burning. Proposed is a ban on most open burning.

As Councilman John (Jack) Lubera and Councilwoman Colleen Fisher noted at their regular monthly meeting, “there are a lot of small communities in the state, particularly here in Upstate New York where burn barrels are used on a regular basis.”

Meanwhile, pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has given notice that several sections of the law relating to the state burn ban is being considered for revamping.

DEC will hold legislative public hearings on amendments to proposed rules, Part 215, open fires and Part 191, forest fire prevention. Open fires are currently banned only in cities, villages and towns with populations greater than 20,000.

The proposed changes will “limit agricultural burning to naturally grown products such as vines, branches, leaves and stubble” while specifically allowing such things as “fire training, small cooking, campfires and ceremonial fires.” In addition, it will allow fires for proper disposal of U.S. flags by open burning, and eliminate the need for permits to conduct open burning as allowed in Part 215.

A couple of public hearings on the proposed changes are to be held within easy driving distance of Greene County in Albany on Wednesday, June 25, at noon, and again at 8 p.m. at DEC’s Central Office, 625 Broadway, in Public Assembly Room 129. Other hearings are slated in Saranac Lake, June 26; Watertown, June 30; Batavia, July 2.

DEC invites all persons, organizations, corporations and government agencies that may be affected by the proposed revisions to attend the hearings. In addition, written statements may be submitted to DEC until 5 p.m., July 10.

For more information on the proposals, information may be obtained from Robert Stanton, professional engineer, DEC’s Division of Air Resources, at the Albany’s Broadway address or by calling (518) 402-8403. His e-mail address is 215fires@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

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