Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Victor Superchi was fined $17,406 for burning a structure on his Chester, Vermont, property in violation of the Vermont Air Pollution Control Regulations and Solid Waste Management Rules.
In December 2019, Superchi burned a derelict housing structure containing materials that are prohibited from being burned.
DEC personnel inspected the remains of the burn shortly thereafter and confirmed that the structure contained solid waste materials, including sheetrock, metal cable and roofing, and fiberglass insulation. The open burning of trash, treated wood, and other non-natural materials is prohibited under the Vermont regulations.
“Burning waste creates a nuisance at best, and at worst creates potential environmental hazards and significant public health risks,” says Peter Walke, DEC Commissioner. “DEC provides Vermonters with guidance about how to manage common and uncommon waste materials, from hazardous waste to demolition or construction debris. Burning solid waste is never an appropriate option.”
Superchi agreed to a fine of $17,406 for the violations, which included the costs of proper materials disposal. This agreement was incorporated into a Final Judicial Order of the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division on April 22, 2021.
Superchi has since removed and properly disposed of all burned waste from his property.
For more information about DEC’s Solid Waste and Recycling Program, including targeted guidance for managing specific wastes, visit http://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/solid. For more information regarding permissible and prohibited open burning in Vermont, visit DEC’s Open Burning Permit Program at http://dec.vermont.gov/air-quality/compliance/open-burning.
Source: Montpelier, Vt. – 5.18.2021 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources anr.vermont.gov