News Release 580

DEPARTMENT ISSUES STORM WAIVERS
AFTER RECENT WINTER ICE STORMS

Some disposal and air regulations temporarily suspended to clean up storm debris

Volume 35-580

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 11, 2007 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is suspending specific air and solid waste regulations to address wastes generated by the recent winter ice storms that began Dec. 8.

Because of the severity of the storms, the ice has resulted in widespread damage in Missouri. Following Executive Order 07-36 issued by Gov. Matt Blunt on Dec. 10, the department is temporarily suspending the requirements of specific statutes and administrative rules in order to manage the storm debris.

Brush and yard waste debris normally excluded from disposal at permitted sanitary landfills will be allowed under these extraordinary circumstances as long as the landfill agrees to accept the waste. Where practical, the recycling of these items is strongly encouraged, though not required. The waiver applies only to yard waste and does not allow disposal of other items normally prohibited in sanitary or demolition landfills.

The Department of Natural Resources will not require a permit for burning of vegetative storm debris. However, the burning must take place at least 200 yards from the nearest neighboring occupied structure and have the approval of local fire officials.  Although 200 yards is a minimum distance, a greater setback may be appropriate in some circumstances to ensure protection of public health and safety.

The department has four delegated local agencies with authority for air pollution control in their respective jurisdictions.  In these jurisdictions, the department is deferring final approval for open burning storm debris to the local agencies and is giving these local agencies the flexibility to ease the open burning restrictions for storm-related vegetative waste, as they deem appropriate.  The following agencies have been delegated authority from the state to enforce air pollution regulation in their jurisdiction.  People wishing to burn in these jurisdictions need to contact the appropriate agency for approval:

If local air quality agencies approve open burning, the burning should occur with the approval of local fire officials.

The suspensions of the air and solid waste regulations are valid only for debris resulting from the recent severe ice storms.  All provisions of this waiver are in effect until Jan. 7 unless extended.  Further information, including the full text of the waiver authorizations, is available on the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov/disaster.htm. Factsheets on proper disposal of storm debris and other related information are also available on this Web site.

The Department of Natural Resources is aware wastewater bypassing may have occurred following these recent winter ice storms.  In light of this situation, the department will take into account the circumstances of each individual occurrence.  The department would like to remind all entities subject to Missouri's Clean Water Law and its implementing regulations that if such a bypass should occur, they are required to notify the department's nearest regional office.

For more information contact the Department of Natural Resources at
800-361-4827 or 573-751-3443, or visit the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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