Extension of Public Comment Period - Part 215
Notice is hereby given that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Department), will hold additional legislative public hearings on proposed amendments to Part 215, Open Fires, Part 191, Forest Fire Prevention and Part 621, Uniform Procedures, pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law, Sections 1-0101, 3-0301, 19-0105, 19-1103, 190103, 19-0105, 19-0301, 19-0303, 19-0305, 70-0707, 71-2103 and 71-2105. These hearings are in addition to hearings listed in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that was published in the May 7, 2008 issue of the New York State Register.
Part 215 is being revised to ban most open burning statewide. It is currently only banned in cities, villages and in towns with population greater than 20,000. In addition, the revised rule will limit agricultural burning to naturally grown products such as vines, branches, leaves and stubble. It will also specifically allow such things as fire training, small cooking and camp fires, and ceremonial fires (e.g., proper disposal of U.S. flags by open burning). Finally, the revisions to Parts 215, 191, and 621 will eliminate the need for permits to conduct open burning that is allowed by Part 215.
The Department will provide interpreter services for deaf persons at no charge. Written requests for interpreter services are required and should be submitted by July 21, 2008, to Laura Stevens, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233-3250, 518-402-8451; email, airregs@gw.dec.state.ny.us. All hearings are held in locations that are reasonably accessible to persons with impaired mobility.
DEC will conduct a public information session for one hour prior to each of the public hearings listed in this Notice. During these sessions, DEC staff will entertain questions from the public concerning the proposed rulemaking. Each public information session will commence at 4:00 p.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. These sessions are intended to be informal and will not be part of the official hearing record. Any comments that the public wishes to be included in the record should be submitted during the official public hearing, or by email at the address listed below.
Monday, August 4, 2008, Public Hearing: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m; Information Session: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Herkimer County Community College, Robert McLaughlin College Center, Hummel Corporate Center, 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer NY 13350
Tuesday, August 5, 2008, Public Hearing: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m; Information Session: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. SUNY Canton, Richard W. Miller Campus Center, Kingston Theater and Lobby, Canton, NY 13927
Wednesday, August 6, 2008, Public Hearing: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m; Information Session: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Jamestown Community College, Training Center, Room 117, 10785 Bennett Road (Route 60), Dunkirk, NY 14048
Thursday, August 7, 2008, Public Hearing: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m; Information Session: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Allegany County Office Building, Legislative Board Chambers, 7 Court Street, Belmont, NY 14813
Pursuant to Part 617 of the implementing regulations for the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the Department has prepared a Negative Declaration stating that the proposed actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment.
The Department invites all persons, organizations, corporations, and government agencies that may be affected by the proposed revisions to attend the hearings. At each hearing, persons who wish to make a statement will be invited to speak. It is requested that oral statements also be submitted in writing. The Department will give equal weight to written and oral statements, and since a cumulative record will be compiled it is not necessary for interested parties to attend each hearing. Information may be obtained from Robert Stanton, P.E., NYSDEC Division of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany NY 12233-3254, telephone, 518 402-8403; email: 215fires@gw.dec.state.ny.us. Written statements may be submitted until 5:00 p.m., August 14, 2008.
The deadline for submitting written statements regarding the proposed amendments, which was July 10, 2008, has been extended due to the additional hearings. Written statements must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., August 14, 2008.
The proposed regulation may be obtained from any of the following Department offices:
REGION 1, NYSDEC - Region 1 Headquarters, SUNY @ Stony Brook, 50 Circle Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790-3409, Attention: Ajay Shah
REGION 2, 1 Hunters Point Plaza, 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101, Attention: Sam Lieblich
REGION 3, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561, Attention: Ken Grzyb
REGION 4, 1130 North Westcott Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306, Attention: Don Spencer
REGION 5, 232 Golf Course Road, P.O. Box 220, Warrensburg, NY 12885, Attention: James Coutant
REGION 6, Watertown State Office Bldg., 317 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, Attention: Thomas Morgan
REGION 7, 615 Erie Boulevard West, Syracuse, NY 13204-2400, Attention: Reginald Parker
REGION 8, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon, NY 14414, Attention: Thomas Marriott
REGION 9, 270 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, NY 14203, Attention: Larry Sitzman
