Memo 03-167

To: Walt Wrede, City Manager

From: Bob Painter, Fire Chief

CC:

Date: October 22, 2003

Re: “Backyard Burning”

The EPA has launched a new campaign to improve air quality in small communities across the country. “Backyard Burning” has been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution. “Open burning of household waste creates significant amounts of dioxins due to the low combustion temperatures, poor air distribution, and the presence of chlorine, which is found in almost all household waste components” (The Hidden Hazards of Backyard Burning, EPA530-F-03-012). As such I think we should “clean” up exiting City Code to reflect current research and protect the public health.

With the availability of free disposal sites for household waste across the Kenai Peninsula and Homer I would like to see a change in City Code to outlaw completely the disposal of household materials by burning. In researching existing regulations this is apparently already illegal in the State. According to the DNR website burn barrels are only for the disposal of wood based materials, not for garbage and other wastes.

Under Homer City Code 5.20.030 Trash Burning it states the burning shall be only done with a permit and in an approved container. I would like to see this modified to prohibit the open burning of household waste or other materials, except those permitted under the Open Burning portions of the code (brush, grass, wood).

RECOMMENDATION:

Forward an Ordinance for introduction on November 24, 2003 to amend HCC 5.20.03.

Fiscal Note: NA