COUNC

JAN \A 8

THE CORPORATION OF THE
CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM

B.R. Kirk DATE: January 4, 1991
City Admiuistrator

C.F. (Kip) Gaudry, P. Eng.
Deputy City Engineer

OPEN BURNING
(Environmental Protection Committee, January 3, 1991)

Recommendations:

That Council consider revising Bylaw No. 902, Sections 4., 5., an? 6., to ban
all open air burning in Port Coquitlam except for firea for cooking of food in
grills and barbeques, and burning by permit of diseased on site generated
agricultural organic materials.

Background & Comments:

The Environmental Protection Committee considered the matter of open air
burning in Port Coquitlam at its meeting of January 3, 1991. The review by
EPC was prompted both by the recent discussions on Christmas tree burning as
well as Community residents expressing concern for controlling air pollution
in our area. Some resident: felt that City Council should be a leader in the
fight against air pollution by banning all open air burning in the City.

Reasonable alternatives exist for open air burning. Land clearing materials
can be chipped with large mechanical chippers on site and the chips can either
be removed to a land fill, or disposed of through appropriate industrial
furnaces designed to burn this: type of chip. Back yard burning can be
eliminated by encouraging composting at the Municipal level in a large compost
area as well as iniividually in private yards. To satisfy the agricultural
community the Bylaw could be amended so that burning of diseased on site
generated agricultural organic materials can still be accomplished by
obtaining a permit through the Fire Department.

The GVRD considers this isaue to be a major regtonal concern amd feel several
initiatives will be undertaken over the next several years to put in plece an
Air Management Program that will include banning or severely limiting open air
burning.

C.F. (Kip) Gaudry, P. Eng.
Deputy City Engineer