Agenda - Council - 07/11/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10. ll. 12. 13. 15. 16. 17. 18. That F & R testified that each pit would be constructed so as to have earth berms around them in order to reduce fire contact with wind and prevent visibility of the fire from roadways to avoid traffic slow-downs by on-lookers. In addition, the earth material in the berms could be used to smother the fire if it becomes necessary. That F & R proposes to place a 1200 gallon water tanker at the Site together with two portable fire extinguishers to assist in putting out any fire that might escape from the pits. That F & R estimates that there are between 175 and 250 tandem trailer truck loads of trees to be disposed of. ..That F & R testified that smoke from the fires would not be ~a problem because the trees are extremely dry and the resulting fire will therefore be a hot and clean fire. That F & R testified there are no other reasonable alter- natives to burning the trees because: (1) chipping is not practical because of the number of man hours required and the trees have been bulldozed into piles therefore exposing them to sand and gravel which poses a problem for chipper blades, (2) exporting the trees off site is not reasonable because of the volume and the related disposal and hauling fees, and (3) burying of the trees is not feasible because this would interfer with subsequent development of F & R's property. That F & R estimates the burning could be completed in seven (7) days, burning during daylight hours only. F & R would cause the pits to be under observation 24 hours per day. That F & R estimates that each pit could burn 2 - 4 truck loads of trees at a time. That F & R's property lying east and ~and north of and adjacent to the Site is also a pine forest which has numerous dead pine trees which trees have died as a result of drought and Pine Bark Beetle Disease. These trees are e>~tremely dry and in addition, the pine needles below these trees on the ground are dry and pose a great fire potential. That airborne sparks from the fire in the pits could ignite the remainder of the trees on F & R's property. Such a fire could pose extreme hazard to persons and property surrounding F & R's property and the Site. That smoke from the proposed open pit fires could pose a hazard to airplanes using the Gateway North Industrial Airport located approximately 1~ miles east of the Site.