Friday, June 10, 2011

MDNR offers guidelines on burning in Joplin

(From the Missouri Department of Natural Resources)

On May 24, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources waived specific air pollution and solid waste regulations to give residents and communities in Jasper and Newton counties additional flexibility in cleanup up storm debris. The waiver allows for the open burning of vegetative waste such as brush and yard waste.


The department’s waiver does allow residents to burn vegetative debris if necessary, however, no additional items are allowed to be burned in order to be protective of human health and air pollution and follow state and federal regulations. Individuals cleaning up debris in the Joplin area should NOT burn building structural debris, home furnishings, personal items, household hazardous waste, appliances and tires.

The Missouri National Guard's Task Force Phoenix is coordinating the debris removal cleanup process in the Joplin area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its contractors are managing the household hazardous waste, white goods such as appliances, and electronic waste such as computers and televisions. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors are managing the remaining construction debris and vegetative material such trees and brush.

Additional information on debris cleanup efforts can be found at joplinmo.org/, epa.gov/joplin/ or nwk.usace.army.mil.

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