The state is proposing changes to rules to control most open burning statewide. The Press-Repubican has written many times that this initiative will help clear the environment, restore free breathing to neighborhoods and save volunteer firefighters aggravation and risk to their health and even lives.

The Department of Environmental Conservation will hold legislative public hearings on these changes. This is the formal title of the initiative: Part 215, Open Fires, Part 191, Forest Fire Prevention and Part 621, Uniform Procedures, pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law, Sections 1-0101, 3-0301, 19-0105, 19-1103, 19-0103, 19-0105, 19-0301, 19-0303, 19-0305, 70-0707, 71-2103 and 71-2105.

Part 215 is being revised to ban most open burning statewide. It is currently banned only in cities and villages and in towns with populations greater than 20,000.

In addition, the revised rule will limit agricultural burning to naturally grown products, such as vines, branches, leaves and stubble. It will also specifically allow certain exceptions: fire training, small cooking and campfires, and ceremonial fires, such as for the proper disposal of an American flag.

The only hearing in our region will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Harrietstown Town Hall, Main Street and Lake Flower Avenue, in Saranac Lake. It is accessible to the handicapped.

The Department invites all persons, organizations, corporations and government agencies that may be affected by the proposed revisions to attend the hearings. We encourage the many people who have a stake in this vital rule to attend and be heard. Anyone may address the hearing, but DEC asks that oral statements also be submitted in writing. The Department says it will give equal weight to written and oral statements.

Information may be obtained from Robert Stanton at the DEC's Division of Air Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3254. He can be reached by phone at 518 402-8403; or by e-mail: 215fires@gw.dec.state.ny.us. Written statements may be submitted until 5 p.m., July 10, 2008.

A copy of the proposed regulation may be obtained from any DEC office. In our area, Region 5, the address of headquarters is 232 Golf Course Road, P.O. Box 220, Warrensburg, NY 12885, Attention: James Coutant.

This is a burning issue in both senses of the term. We have emphasized many times the extreme discomfort to which neighbors and passers-by are exposed by open burning. We've been told of people with respiratory diseases whose lives are actually threatened by it. Toxic materials are introduced into the atmosphere, in addition to the agonizing effects of the choking smoke, itself.

It's time for action, and attending the DEC hearing or submitting written statements is a critical first step.

We hope the DEC hears substantial opinion in support of the proposed ban. Various towns have enacted a ban, but enforcement is a problem.

Let the state enact a rule and then enforce it.