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November 13, 2000 For more information contact Air Quality Management, 302-739-4791, or Donald White, Information and Education, 302-739-4506. No Open Burning of Leaves Allowed in DelawareFalling leaves are piling up along with complaints to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control about open burning of leaves, which is prohibited under open burning ban regulations. DNREC's Division of Air and Waste Management reminds everyone that the burning of leaves and refuse such as old lumber, trash or garbage, grass, and tree stumps is illegal throughout the year in Delaware. Campfires, cooking fires and bonfires are legal year-round, unless prohibited by local or county ordinances; however, none of the prohibited items mentioned above can be burned in those bonfires, campfires and cooking fires. If a nuisance complaint is registered, fires, even though they are legal, may be extinguished. In order to meet the air quality standards of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, it was necessary to more tightly restrict open burning. In Kent and New Castle counties, where the ozone problem is severe, all types of outdoor burning were banned, except campfires, cooking fires and bonfires during the months of June, July and August. Major William Hill, chief of the Division's Enforcement Section, warns that environmental protection officers (EPOs), are on the lookout for violators, and will be citing those performing illegal open burning activities. Penalties in Magistrate Court for conviction of violating open burning regulations range from $50 to $500 in fines, plus a criminal record for the violator. Public health concerns form the basis for the burning ban. Open burning produces smoke that emits toxic chemicals into the air we breathe. Open burning aids in the formation of bad ozone (smog) which can degrade building materials and damage crops and other vegetation. It can trigger asthma attacks, other respiratory problems and eye irritation. Rain eventually washes these toxic chemicals onto our land and into our waterways. And, open burning contributes to acid rain that causes fish kills, plant and property damage. Alternatives to open burning include: recycling glass, plastics, aluminum, used motor oil, and other recyclable materials at the nearest recycle igloos; taking non-recyclable trash to a licensed landfill; and composting, one of the best alternatives. It is very easy to compost leaves, yard trimmings, and certain food scraps. When properly composted, these wastes can be turned into natural soil additives for use on lawns and gardens, and for use as potting soil for houseplants. For more information on composting, contact the Delaware Composting Association, 302-422-4544. For a copy of "The Burning Question," a pamphlet outlining the open burning regulations, or a 15-minute video, "The Adventures of Proton Dan," for presentation to your local community, contact the Air Quality Management Section, 156 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901 or by phone, 302-739-4791. To report illegal open burning, call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-662-8802. Cellular phone users can call the toll free number: #DNR. -30-
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