South Bend Tribune
The St. Joseph County Council has taken an encouraging step toward addressing a burning issue in the midst of a respiratory pandemic.
Proposed changes to the county’s leaf-burning ban seek to stamp out lingering leaf burning. Leaf burning amnesty periods that have been offered in the fall and spring for many years would be eliminated, and enforcement to control unauthorized burning would be enhanced, with fines that could range from $10 to $1,000.
The council passed the proposed ordinance out of committee on Tuesday with a favorable recommendation, and the full council is expected to vote on it this month. If approved, it would then go to the Board of Commissioners for a vote.
Complaints about unauthorized leaf burning have been persistent, according to officials. The problem is the current leaf-burning ban lacks teeth and fails to deter residents from burning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the exposure to the air pollutants from leaf burning can worsen existing heart and lung conditions and have other harmful effects.
While the topic is obviously a public health issue, it’s also a matter of public safety, as leaf fires can get out of hand, threatening structures or setting a field aflame.
Council members said they liked the idea of making the county’s leaf-burning ban stronger for air quality, health and safety, and to be consistent with the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, where leaf burning is prohibited.
Residents and health advocates have expressed concerns about leaf burning for years. The issue deserves the attention the council is giving it.
Council attorney Mike Trippel said the proposed changes would signal that “this is clearly and specifically a ban” and give officials the latitude “to issue a warning or a monetary fine.”
A ban should indeed come with some muscle, especially on issues related to health. That’s why, on another public health issue, we agreed with the recent move to allow fines for businesses that violate the county’s mask order.
In this case, the move toward strengthening the existing ordinance and eliminating leaf-burning amnesty periods are steps in the right direction.
