49-457.01. Leaf blower use restrictions and training; leaf blower equipment sellers; informational material; outreach; applicability

A. This section applies in a county with a population of two million or more persons or any portion of a county within an area designated by the environmental protection agency as a serious PM-10 nonattainment area or a maintenance area that was designated as a serious PM-10 nonattainment area.

B. After March 31, 2008, no person may use a leaf blower to blow landscape debris into public roadways.

C. After March 31, 2008, no person may operate a leaf blower except on surfaces that have been stabilized with asphaltic concrete, cement concrete, hardscape, penetration treatment of bituminous material and seal coat of bituminous binder and a mineral aggregate, decomposed granite cover, crushed granite cover, aggregate cover, gravel cover, or grass or other continuous vegetative cover, or any combination of those stabilizers.

D. At least once every three years, any person operating a leaf blower for remuneration shall successfully complete training approved by the department on how to operate a leaf blower in a manner designed to minimize the generation of fugitive dust emissions. Any person who is required to be trained under this subsection shall complete initial training no later than December 31, 2008.

E. Any person who rents or sells in the normal course of business equipment that is used for blowing landscape debris shall provide to the buyer or renter of the equipment printed materials that are approved by the department pursuant to this section.

F. The department shall produce printed materials and distribute those materials to persons who sell or rent equipment used for blowing landscape debris. The printed materials shall be designed to educate and inform the user of the equipment on the safe and efficient use of the equipment, including methods for reducing the generation of dust, and shall include information regarding dust control ordinances and restrictions that may be applicable.

G. This section does not apply to any site that has a permit issued by a control officer as defined in section 49-471 for the control of fugitive dust from dust generating operations.