LAKE LUZERNE, N.Y. - In many rural towns, you see people burning outdoor waste in barrels. But now, the state Department of Environmental Conservation is considering a ban on outdoor burning as a way to make the air we breathe cleaner.
The DEC says it's too soon for them to comment on the specifics on what the ban would entail, but spokeswoman Lori O'Connell said, "The DEC is considering the ban, but it's still very early in the process and it hasn't been formally proposed. If and when it is proposed, there will be a public comment period for 30 days."
The issue is how much pollution goes into the air when waste is burned. The DEC said garbage burned in an open barrel gives off 17 times more dioxins than a permitted incinerator. But some town supervisors already think they will see resistance to any type of ban.
Air quality is something we're looking to improve and in New York State, the Department of Environmental Conservation is considering extending a ban on outdoor burning. That means banning burn barrels and some outside stoves, used in many rural areas. Our Jessica Mokhiber has more on what this could mean for some towns and villages.
Lake Luzerne Town Supervisor Gene Merlino said, "We're starting to restrict ourselves so much, people are getting tired of being regulated. If they don't burn, you're going to find it along the roads."
Right now, many towns and villages allow controlled burning of things like leaves, grass and branches.
Merlino said, "I even do it at my place. You have some extra tree limbs, it's easier to burn it. As long long as you have a permit, it's ok. The town has no ordinances for it or against it."
People who want to burn have to get a DEC permit. You can get them from most town and village offices. In Lake Luzerne, the town clerk is an agent of the DEC and she issues them. She said she issues about 25 a year, usually in the spring and fall.
Merlino said, "Mostly it's just for landowners when they're cleaning up their land, rather than clearing it away."
He also said he just wants to make sure this doesn't lead to a ban on all outdoor fires.
He said, "What I fear and what I hear from people is, what's next? We're going to stop campfires on Saturday nights in our campgrounds?"
But the DEC website says there would be exceptions for things like small campfires and cooking fires, even if the ban is extended statewide.