DNR to Host Meeting on Burning of Disaster Debris, Demo Waste, Training Fires

DES MOINES-The DNR will host an informational meeting to discuss new and proposed rules that affect burning of demolished buildings, disaster related debris and fires conducted for firefighter training.

The meeting will be held April 30 at 1 pm at the DNR's Air Quality offices located at 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1 in Urbandale.

This is an informational meeting to discuss the proposed rule changes. As the formal rule making proceeds, public hearings and public comment periods will be offered.

The rule making is needed to implement legislation passed last year by the Iowa Legislature (SF 2325). The legislation provides an exemption under which cities may conduct controlled burns of demolished buildings and required the DNR to adopt rules to implement this legislation. The rule making:

• Emphasizes that open burning waiver requests contain additional information to ensure national ambient air standards are met. It limits three controlled burns per year in any three-year period within a six-tenth of a mile radius and requires record keeping to demonstrate compliance.
• Limits three controlled burns per year in any three-year period within a six-tenth mile radius and requires record keeping to demonstrate compliance
• Clarifies that burning of disaster rubbish must meet federal asbestos rules
• Distinguishes between training fires and controlled burns
• Defines "bone fide training fire"
• Clarifies that agricultural structure fires must meet federal asbestos rules

For more information contact the DNR's Chuck Corell at 515-281-8448.

Who should attend?
Municipal government
Fire departments
Solid waste planners
County Board of Supervisors
Agriculture associations, producers