Burning at MnDOT Facilities
MNDOT has prepared this guidance document to provide its internal procedures and requirements for work performed at MnDOT-owned addressed-facilities. This document should not be construed as a full description of all regulations pertaining to the subject matter. Contact the Regulated Materials Unit (RMU) in the MnDOT Office of Environmental Stewardship for additional information or legal requirements.
The Facility must follow all applicable Department of Natural Resources (DNR), County and City regulations. A burn permit must be secured prior to burning at MnDOT facilities, as needed.
General requirements for open burning permit include:
- When the fire is more than 3 feet high and 3 feet in diameter.
- When the ground is not completely covered by a minimum of 3 inches of snow.
- When the fire is not contained in either an approved burner or in a cooking or heating device such as a charcoal grill.
- Where county or other local jurisdiction requires a burning permit year-round or for all sizes of fires.
Burn piles must be attended under MnDOT staff supervision when active flames or embers are present.
Burn piles must be of appropriate size such that they can be controlled and effectively extinguished as needed. Water needs to be readily accessible (i.e. hose in place from spigot or water filled tanker) in case of fire escape. It is understood that water use may be difficult during freezing temperatures, the Facility still needs an effective means of extinguishing fire during these conditions.
Burning of any of the following is NOT allowed:
- hazardous wastes
- industrial solid waste
- demolition debris of commercial or institutional structures
- motor vehicles
- oils
- rubber
- plastics
- chemically treated materials
- other materials which produce excessive or noxious smoke, such as tires, railroad ties, chemically treated lumber, composite board, drywall, wiring, paint, or paint filters
- garbage, defined as discarded material resulting from the handling, processing, storage, preparation, serving, or consumption of food.
Ash Piles and residual material created by burning must be contained on-site and adhere to the Site's stormwater runoff plan. Runoff from any ash piles on site is prohibited.
Contact Regulated Materials for assistance in disposing of ash.