New Open Burning Law Still Not Needed in Rural Areas

news release from the Legislative Republican Majority
Rural communities and residents will still be unfairly affected by a proposed ban by New York State on open burning, even with changes by the State to the proposal, said Rensselaer County Legislator Lester Goodermote.
Goodermote said the proposed ban will also be potentially expensive for the state and local governments to enforce and the costs will be particularly unwelcome coming during an economic downturn.
New York State has been considering a ban on open burning for more than a year, and the proposal would change existing law that allows communities with populations under 20,000 to determine whether an open burning ban is needed. The original ban prevented the burning of leaves, tree trimmings and paper products. The State this month revised that proposal to allow for the burning of leaves and trees.
Goodermote said rural communities, including the communities in eastern Rensselaer County which he represents, should be allowed to determine whether a ban is needed. Many residents burn benign paper products like cardboard along with trees and leaves.
“I believe the law we now have is working and the new proposal is not needed. With a tough economy and ongoing State fiscal problems, New York State has more important things to be worrying about,” said Goodermote.
“Enforcing a new law regarding open burning would mean additional costs for the State and for small towns and villages. We do not need those additional costs at a time of real fiscal uncertainty,” added Goodermote.
Requiring rural residents to travel more often to dispose of trash will also cause a negative impact on the environment and mean additional costs for residents dealing with the effects of the economic downturn, noted Goodermote. The proposed ban would also cause additional expenses for rural communities for disposing and storing of the waste.
Make no mistake, this is a law that will cost towns money and cost residents money at a time when they can least afford it. I am concerned that the State has not fully researched the potential negatives of this proposal,” said Goodermote.