Outdoor burn ban begins May 1

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s (EPD) open burning ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard and land-clearing debris. The rule is in addition to the year-round state ban on the burning of household garbage.

The burn ban includes several counties in Northeast Georgia, including Jackson, Banks, Barrow and Madison counties.

“The burn ban applies to the burning of vegetative debris on an individual’s property, and in some counties, burning for land clearing or forest management,” said Jim Kelly, manager of air protection branch’s planning and regulatory development unit. “It is enforced during smog season when levels of particle pollution and ozone are highest.”

Citizens may access more information on the open burning ban by calling the EPD district office in their area. For the Northeast Georgia district office in Athens, call 706-369-6376.

Small businesses may obtain help and information by calling EPD’s Small Business Environmental Assistance Program toll-free at 877-427-6255.

For more information on the open burning ban and exemptions to the rule, visit www.georgiaair.org and click on “Hot Topics” to visit the open burning ban page.

For more information about alternatives to burning — such as composting and chipping — call Joe Dunlop at the Department of Community Affairs at 404-679-1598 or email at joe.dunlop@dca.ga.gov, or call Roy Edwards at Georgia’s Department of Natural Resource’s Sustainability Division at 404-657-7449 or email him at roy.edwards@gadnr.org.

Debris can also be hauled to a commercial processing/grinding/composting operation or to an inert or construction and demolition landfill. For a list of area landfills, call EPD’s Solid Waste Management Program at 404-362-2692.