Confusion continues for rural residents about burning leaves, branches, twigs and yard debris in the wake of Allegan County abandoning last year’s handy on-line and telephone service.
Leighton Township officials Thursday evening had a spirited discussion about the county’s subsequent request to pass the responsibility on to township fire officials or have a local ordinance adopted.
County officials insist they have no choice because of a legal ruling that any municipality that does not have a burn ordinance cannot provide a “hot line” for residents to call or seek on line for burn permits.
So now residents instead must contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. So does that mean everybody has to call a number for the DNR?
Making things even more confusing is what appears on the DNR’s web site, which states:
“The burning of logs, stumps, trees, and brush is not allowed within 1,400 feet of a city or village under DEQ air quality rules. In general, state law allows burning of leaves and grass clippings in municipalities of under 7,500 people, but not in communities of greater population.
“However, local ordinances may prohibit burning in smaller communities, and larger communities may opt to allow burning leaves and grass clippings through local ordinances. So, be sure to check with your local community to find out what the rules are where you will be burning.”
Burn permits are issued only for limbs, brush, stumps, evergreen needles, leaves and grass.
Items that can never be burned due to air quality regulations include demolition debris, construction materials, automotive parts, household trash that contains plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, chemicals or hazardous materials.
Leighton Supervisor Steve Deer said because the county can no longer handle it doesn’t mean it can be passed along to townships, most of which also do not have burn ordinances. So the now state law on burning must be followed.
“I don’t think I have a taste for adopting a local ordinance,” Deer said. “The state has done a number on us. I don’t see any option as a good one.”
He said the county is proposing to set up a contract in which local residents can seek permits from local fire departments, but added, “I think we’re heaping a lot of responsibility on (Fire Chief) Tony (Banas) and his department. It’s just one more thing for him and his people to have to manage.”
Allegan County Commissioner Don Black last month told the Martin Township Board he and his colleagues are working on a measure for each local township to adopt a burn ordinance in order to have the authority to grant burning permits.
Leighton Treasurer Char Troost said township officials did consider a local ordinance several years ago, “but we thought it was too restrictive.”
Deer said, “I’m not highly motivated to defend (with an ordinance) what the county is laying on us.”
Leighton officials agreed unanimously to table the issue and have County Commissioner Mark DeYoung come to the May 14 meeting to explain the county’s position further.
