TDEC approves Jasper burn site to remedy brush removal issue

Paul Evans
Paul Evans
photo Paul Evans

JASPER, Tenn. -- City leaders have gotten a reprieve from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation after they found an approved site to burn the debris picked up from residential areas.

TDEC shut down Jasper's old burn pit in early January after a single complaint prompted a state inspection of the city's disposal area.

The facility was in compliance with all but one state statute, which required that it be located at least a half-mile from an industrial site.

The burn pit was about 200 yards from Tennessee Galvanizing Inc., so TDEC barred its use.

The Jasper Board of Mayor and Aldermen decided to discontinue that removal service for residents because its members didn't think the city could afford to pay for the use of a local landfill.

Later, the board discovered that Jasper was required to provide the removal service to residents through a city ordinance.

Streets and Sanitation Supervisor Tim Davenport said the town got permission recently from TDEC's Air Pollution Control agency for a new burn site, which he called "a blessing."

Mayor Paul Evans said the new site is located near the Tennessee River across from the abandoned Tennol Energy plant along Industrial Boulevard.

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut announced last week that Northeast Wood Products planned to convert that plant for wood pellet production in the near future.

Officials said they aren't sure if that will cause the new burn site to be out of compliance with state law for the same reason the old one was.

Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.

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