In Montezuma, a few people were caught unaware of a new statewide regulation, effective Oct. 14, that outlaws most open burning of leaves and other materials outdoors. Officials say that many people, especially in rural areas, are confused about what they may and may not burn outdoors.
According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, open burning regulations were changed because burning household trash releases dangerous compounds such as arsenic, carbon monoxide and benzene, and because of the threat of wildfires.
Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Daily cited an instance when he was driving by a heavily wooded area on Laraway Road in Montezuma and stopped to investigate a big cloud of smoke. He said the resident had dug a big hole with a tractor and was not only burning brush but tires, batteries and even a refrigerator
containing freon.
Because the fire was way back in the woods, Daily said six or seven other companies were called out and had to use brush trucks to get to the fire. The DEC was notified and the individual received several tickets, Daily said.
"It's a misdemeanor to violate this law," Reggie Parker, regional air pollution engineer in the Air Quality Department of the DEC in Syracuse, and added that criminal charges carry with them fines ranging from $375 to $15,000.
"Some people will do it if they think they don't get caught," Daily said. "It's the DEC's responsibility to publicize it."
Cayuga County Emergency Management Director Brian Dahl said that his office responds to inquiries on 911 calls, but that the DEC is responsible for putting out information. He said not enough information has filtered down to enforcement officials, who aren't all that sure about applying the law. Environmental Conservation Officers and Forest Rangers can enforce the law, but local municipalities can do so as well.
DEC spokesperson Lori Severino said the DEC has worked on getting word out for 18 months, but outreach is still in progress as people learn and get used to new regulations.
Violations are being dealt with on a case-by-case basis, she said, with warnings often issued at first.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Daily cited an instance when he was driving by a heavily wooded area on Laraway Road in Montezuma and stopped to investigate a big cloud of smoke. He said the resident had dug a big hole with a tractor and was not only burning brush but tires, batteries and even a refrigerator
containing freon.
Because the fire was way back in the woods, Daily said six or seven other companies were called out and had to use brush trucks to get to the fire. The DEC was notified and the individual received several tickets, Daily said.
"It's a misdemeanor to violate this law," Reggie Parker, regional air pollution engineer in the Air Quality Department of the DEC in Syracuse, and added that criminal charges carry with them fines ranging from $375 to $15,000.
"Some people will do it if they think they don't get caught," Daily said. "It's the DEC's responsibility to publicize it."
Cayuga County Emergency Management Director Brian Dahl said that his office responds to inquiries on 911 calls, but that the DEC is responsible for putting out information. He said not enough information has filtered down to enforcement officials, who aren't all that sure about applying the law. Environmental Conservation Officers and Forest Rangers can enforce the law, but local municipalities can do so as well.
DEC spokesperson Lori Severino said the DEC has worked on getting word out for 18 months, but outreach is still in progress as people learn and get used to new regulations.
Violations are being dealt with on a case-by-case basis, she said, with warnings often issued at first.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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for king wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:05 PM:
fingerlakesfan wrote on Nov 14, 2009 1:45 PM:
For those who cannot figure out how to use the Internet, the above explains the DEC rules. It is not a simple issue. But it IS defined. "
Boonhopper wrote on Nov 14, 2009 10:56 AM:
Some people complained the initial proposal would force them to rent wood chippers or pay to have their brush hauled away. The state revised the proposal to allow burning of small brush between May 15 and the following March 15. "
marsha wrote on Nov 14, 2009 10:36 AM:
yvonne_m_99 wrote on Nov 14, 2009 10:31 AM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Nov 14, 2009 10:19 AM:
The DEC would be better deployed doing something about the overspreading of liquid manure -- but you can't get them to even come out for that -- they are in the back pockets of corporate agribusiness, just like Cornell, which sets the so-called and totally unenforced "regulations."
I am an environmentalist, and still agree that the burning ban is absurd. "
Taxpayer51 wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:19 AM:
It was crammed down our throats by wacko environmentalists in Albany, against the wishes of our own legislators. It makes no sense (how many forest fires have there been in NYS in the last, say, 100 years?) and has nothing to do with global warming, since that is the biggest fraud in modern history. There is no global warming.
The DEC should find something else to do, and if any local sheriffs or law enforcement harass citizens over this its time to fire them and find new officers. "
Kayla wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:05 AM: