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Compliances Waived Following Tornadoes

Published Wednesday, March 12, 1997 in the Nevada County Picayune

The Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology has issued an emergency order which temporarily waives responsibility for compliance with certain state environmental regulations in those areas of Arkansas which sustained major damage from tornadoes and high winds which struck the state March 1.

The major areas affected by the emergency order include Clark, Nevada, Cross, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Jackson, Lonoke, Poinsett, Pulaski, Saline and White counties.

Debris resulting from the storm damage presents a threat to public health and safety, and to the environment, but the DPC&E recognizers that the affected areas of the state will be unable to comply with all requirements of the air, asbestos and solid waste regulations currently in effect.

Therefore, the emergency order provides for the following actions:

  • The affected areas of the state are to take all measures to clean up debris resulting from the storms;

  • Counties and/or municipalities within the affected areas are to designate a site within their jurisdiction, with prior approval from the DPC&E, where debris may be stockpiled and disposed of by open burning, with the exception that open burning of tires is not authorized at any location; and

  • Each local government is to designate a representative to oversee open burning at each site, and the burning must be done in such a manner as to not create a nuisance to the surrounding areas.

The normal notification requirements under the state asbestos control program are waived. However, suspected asbestos-containing material must be periodically sprayed with water to prevent airborne contamination, and known asbestos materials may be handled only by licensed asbestos contractors, who will be responsible for notifying the DPC&E of their actions.

The DPC&E cannot waive compliance with regulations of other state or federal agencies. Any local government or individual seeking such waivers will be responsible for securing approval from the appropriate agency or agencies.


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