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005 of agreement with the State Permitting Agency that as long as the local rules meet or exceed the standards of the State , there can be a delegation by the State to allow regulation by the County . A question of frequency of occurrence of this type burning was raised . Stancil noted that some firms would burn vegetative waste during construction rather than dispose by more costly measures such as mulching . Another issue of open burning of leaves causing breathing and vision problems was discussed . The idea of permits being issued during implementation of large construction sites to require environmentally conducive disposal of debris was favored , over adopting additional laws for the average citizen to contend with and the local government to enforce . Baker reported on a business (B &B Topsoil Mine) that takes in items to be turned into mulch as an alternative to burning or dumping and volunteered to investigate . Jurgelski noted that Duke Power has similar operation where they grind trees into mulch on sites they are clearing . The idea of mulching leaves such as the Town of Carrboro does could be another option by local governments . Rafalow reminded that when open burning is allowed to continue , it does a significant amount of damage to the air quality . California has outlawed open burning . Smith commented on the enforcement of air quality rules as being difficult, abusive and threatening , and one of the most difficult things the State does . Stancil concluded that the CFE could decide to develop recommendations with an approach similar to what Erosion Control does - consider the size of a disturbed site rather than focus on large commercial activities . Staff will investigate and report back on the extent of open burning , impact on air quality and ideas on what initial steps to take , budgetary costs possibly involved and, how this could be related to the permitting process . It was noted that the air quality committee needs to get together to look at the draft of the air quality action ozone plan and report to the CFE . VIII . CFE Web Site Stancil noted that the site is up , along with the departmental site . Rafalow noted that the intent of the CFE website was to create a lead to the ERCD website and that the redundant information should be removed and add needed information . Stancil posed the question if the CFE ( 1 ) wants to continue the separate website highlighting important items to the CFE or, (2) integrate the CFE site into the ERCD site . CFE members concluded that they would review the site and forward ideas to staff or to Rafalow for updates . IX. Neuse River Rules Stancil noted that, due to the late hour, the CFE briefly needs to be aware of new rules for the Neuse River Basin that takes in the northern part of the county from near Alamance County including Hillsborough to east of Durham line . Generally , for Orange County the implications are two fold : ( 1 ) basin-wide , there is a plan to reduce nitrogen in the basin by 3 0 % overall . Last updated 08/ 17/99 5