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See Also: Guidelines for Disposal of Tree Debris from Specific Natural Disasters

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)

STOCKPILING CLEAN TREE DEBRIS
12/15/08

I. Location Considerations for Stockpiling Clean Tree Debris
 
This guidance supplements the Department's Guidelines for Disposal of Tree Debris from Specific Natural Disasters, 12/15/08.  Locating effective tree debris stockpiling sites requires evaluating a range of factors including parcel size, topography, and ownership, in addition to current uses of the land and its proximity to residences, water supplies and wetlands. While stockpiling clean tree debris should present few environmental issues, poorly located sites can quickly fill with debris and/or lead to nuisance conditions.  Local officials, including public works, fire and board of health officials should be involved in determining appropriate sites.

II. Stockpile Management Considerations

• Stockpiles should be of reasonable and manageable size
• Stockpile locations should provide access for fire fighting equipment
• Stockpile operations must be conducted so as not to cause nuisance conditions such as noise or dust.

III. Stockpile Location Considerations

Where possible, storage and staging sites for tree debris should be: 

• owned or controlled by the municipal government;
• large enough to accept and store large quantities of tree debris;
• provide easy access, including being near the area of tree debris generation, be easy to enter and exit, and be near transportation arteries; 
• ready to use as staging areas without extensive site modifications; and
• at least 100 feet from property lines. 

Storage and staging sites for tree debris are prohibited from being located: 

• within a wetland or an identifiable or known floodplain or flood prone area;

In addition, it is recommended that storage and staging sites not be:

• within 250 feet of a private drinking water supply;
• within 500 feet of a public drinking water supply;
• within 100 feet of a surface water body; or
• within 250 feet of a residential dwelling.

Printer-Friendly Version: MS Word 31 KB | PDF 17 KB

See Also: Guidelines for Disposal of Tree Debris from Specific Natural Disasters