DEQ air inspection staff currently refuse to enforce the open burning regulation as it clearly was intended.  The reg needs to be changed to include neighborhoods that have regular collection services but do not currently exist on the federal list referred to.  The reference to the federal cite requiring a neighborhood to be on the list is not effective and can be out of date.  Currently, it appears that burning can take place in, what to anyone would be a neighborhood, with collection services.  Virginia law clearly intended to prohibit open burning in areas that have regular collection service in residential areas.  Also, waste removed from one area to another and burned could result in large areas being established in inappropriate locations.

Regarding the three posted questions:

#1 - I believe that the pollution should cover leaves, brush and others as mentioned in the regulations.  It is particularly frustrating when burning keeps me from taking my kids out during the day for concern of their health.  While these may essentially be local issues, the localities do not seem to be interested in monitoring or dealing with those issues.  If the state does not provide controls and specific guidance then I do not believe that most localities will address the problems. 

#2 - I like the idea of just whether or not collection service is available.  If we are trying to protect our environment, homes, and families from what is clearly identified as bad for us then we should avoid such activities whenever possible.  For those that aren't concerned with burning, they should not be able to decide for others (by being permitted to burn).  If the guidelines are tightened to anywhere public or private collection is available then the people will have the choice of composting or disposing of their debris without being able to affect other people around them.

#3 - If it is an appropriately controlled and monitored disposal facility, that may be better than disposing of the material on-site.  I do think that the language should be careful to not allow for people to drag their waste into each others yards or just anywhere off-site - the off-site option should always be a better disposal option than on-site.

The regulations on open burning ought to be reviewed in order to address the safety and health of the general public.  The act of open burning releases harmful toxins into the environment, poses a general fire hazard, and creates an opportunity for the burning of non-approved materials.  As an alternative, the idea of composting is attractive to me although I would not expect that to be offered as a public service.  For those wishing to discard of leaves, brush, and other organic materials two options exist; either devise a private composting solution or dispose of these items as other refuse is handled.  In both cases the end result will be the same and the materials will naturally decompose or else be disposed of in a controlled and professional manner.  In my view the act of open burning is not a necessary one and I would like to see more controls in place to eliminate the need for it altogether.