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14 <br /> Conclusion <br /> Based on staff's understanding of the Boards' desire to prohibit, to the extent possible, the open <br /> burning of any waste, including landclearing debris, coupled with the desire to limit the financial <br /> impact on the agriculture community of complying with a prohibition on open burning, staff is <br /> prepared to make two preliminary suggestions. Staff has received some feedback from the <br /> agriculture community and is presently scheduling opportunities to receive additional input. Staff <br /> has also examined a number of reasonable alternatives regarding how the agriculture community <br /> may comply with the open burning prohibition,based on varying levels of information/knowledge. <br /> 1. Controlled burning (air curtain/pit burning) appears to be a reasonable alternative to open <br /> burning. If its use could somehow be limited to use only by the agriculture community it would <br /> be a strong staff recommendation. It is staff's understanding that if it is,made permissible <br /> through the ordinance, it will be open to use throughout the county by the public at large. Since <br /> staff(and presumably the Board) is uncomfortable with allowing widespread burning, even if <br /> strongly controlled/regulated, exempting air curtain burning from the prohibition on open <br /> burning is an unenthusiastic recommendation. However, for purposes of accommodating the <br /> agriculture community, it would likely be the least costly landclearing debris management <br /> alternative to open burning. <br /> a) Private sector could be relied on to provide this service. The Board-could adopt guidelines <br /> for its use, including mandating a County permit. Criteria could be developed by which <br /> these burns are conducted and strictly enforced. Economic development or other source <br /> funding could subsidize the agriculture community's' use of this service. If a subsidy for <br /> agriculture related use is desired, criteria to identify legitimate agriculture use eligibility can <br /> be developed. <br /> b) Orange County Solid Waste Management could obtain the necessary resources to perform <br /> this service, either through funding by the Solid Waste Management Fund or through a fee <br /> for service approach. Sites could still be required to obtain a permit and meet certain <br /> qualifications. If a fee for service approach is used, a subsidy could still be provided for <br /> agriculture related use. If a subsidy for agriculture related use is desired, criteria to identify <br /> legitimate agriculture use eligibility can be developed. <br /> 2. Based on statements from the agriculture community, previous discussions of the C&D <br /> Recycling Committee, discussions of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and previous <br /> recommendations by Solid Waste Management staff, staff believes there is a serious need for a <br /> local (in-county) alternative to landfilling and burning of landclearing debris. No <br /> environmentally safe, local, low cost alternative is available. Even if air curtain burning is made <br /> lawful, some farmers do not favor burning these materials. Staff has previously indicated (most <br /> recently in a October 1, 2001 report) a need for a 25-40 acre landclearing and inert debris <br /> - (LCID)recycling facility within Orange County that would not only recycle landclearing and <br /> inert debris, but also serve as a collection site for(storm debris management, and as a possible <br /> site for a future composting operation. Generators of landclearing wastes within Orange County <br /> must haul these materials to distant disposal facilities; some with questionable legal permit <br /> status. Staff believes that should such a site be developed, it could offer preferential tipping fees <br /> for agriculture related debris and produce a material for which there is a market. Alternatively, <br /> 12 <br />