To the editor:
We were not able to be in town on the evening that the Leaf Blower Study Committee held an open forum to discuss its proposed regulations on leaf blower usage, but we were able to view the proposal that was distributed online. Since the recommendation goes far beyond guidelines and education to outright restrictions on summertime use and penalties for violation, we felt compelled to speak up about the proposal.
We thank the LBSC for making us aware of the environmental impacts from the use of these devices in terms of noise, air quality, and in some cases, safety. We understand that their current use by contractors and private citizens doesn’t always take these impacts into account. There are times when overuse, use at inappropriate times, and improper use cause problems.
That being said, leaf blowers do serve useful purposes despite their drawbacks—uses that include more than just fall leaf cleanup, which appears to be the only time that the committee believes their use is legitimate:
- They make it possible to remove leaves in late spring and early summer from difficult-to-reach places to allow proper growth of useful vegetation without damage from raking
- They make debris removal possible without strenuous raking for those less capable or for those with large areas to work
- They make it possible to remove pine needles from decks, roofs, and other areas that can’t be raked or easily swept (pine needles in the many forested areas of Lincoln seem to fall all summer long)
- They make it possible to blow debris from summer lawn work off of walkways and back onto lawns to aid mulching and keep walkways safe
- They make it possible year round to keep porches and decks clear of debris that blows in from yards and from trees
The proposal to prohibit their use absolutely in Lincoln from May until September is far more restrictive than the committee may believe. Leaf blowers provide useful time and labor-saving benefits year round.
The committee needs to find a way to help people use them appropriately, not to prohibit their use. Many of the cited problems are more acute in the fewer denser areas of town and not on the prevailing larger tracts of land. With two-acre zoning, most homeowners who are using leaf blowers safely and with regard for their impacts should be able do so without harm to others. Perhaps restrictions on use should be focused on their use in denser areas of town.
While we are not in favor of any restrictions, we could imagine some kind of permitting process that would at least require users in certain areas of town to conform to usage guidelines in order to be allowed to use them. This kind of approach would still allow usage while requiring that users understand and comply with the need to use them properly.
We believe that most citizens of Lincoln are intelligent, reasonable, environmentally conscious, and highly wary of regulations that limit individual rights. We encourage the committee to find ways to help Lincoln residents become more aware of the conditions under which leaf blowers are harmful, and to trust us all to make informed and respectful decisions about their use.
Sincerely,
Mark and Tricia Deck
11 Boyce Farm Road
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