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Township moves to prohibit burning of recyclables and leaves after DEP warning
Summary
Harborcreek supervisors opened and closed a public hearing and moved to adopt amendment 2024-241 to explicitly ban burning recyclable materials and, per state direction, prohibit burning leaves and brush; a resident urged adoption to set a public standard despite enforcement challenges.
Harborcreek Township opened a public hearing and moved to adopt amendment 2024-241 to its waste ordinance after the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection told township officials the local ordinance did not align with state definitions on burning.
The chair said the DEP "are threatening to withhold future funds from us, and chase funds for projects and pieces of equipment that we already have that they have helped fund" unless the township's ordinance matches state law. The proposed amendment would ban burning recyclable materials (plastic, cans) and would explicitly prohibit burning leaves and brush in the township. The chair added that the township will try to be reasonable about enforcement and will not police recreational campfires.
During the public hearing, resident Vicky Roberts of Leary Road urged the board to adopt the change even if enforcement is difficult: "Having it on the books puts a standard out there; voluntary compliance ... you'll get a lot of people who will say, oh, well, that's the new standard." After the hearing, Speaker 2 moved to adopt the amendment and the chair seconded; both recorded affirmative votes on the motion.
