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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element burning regulations strike a balance between air quality control and construction allowances. Although a total prohibition of open burning within the USA would eliminate most smoke/air quality nuisances, it would potentially increase land development expenses. The County's policy should be to continue to allow burning within the USA when incinerators are used, as required under LDR Chapter 925. In the past, Indian River County has acquired xeric scrub properties in the USA for conservation purposes. In those areas, fire is an important management tool, and controlled "prescribed" burns are planned for these scrub conservation lands (e.g., the Wabasso Scrub property). For this reason, the County's policy should be to allow prescribed ecological burns in the context of the County's open burning regulations. Another air quality issue relates to Radon. Radon is a radioactive gas occurring naturally in the environment. It is one of a chain of decay products of uranium, which ultimately turns into radium and then into non -radioactive lead. Radon in high concentrations has been linked to lung cancer. In Indian River County, radon gas is not at a level to warrant health concerns; the State identifies the county as being in a "low probability" zone for radon. Only a small portion of the county, mostly within the City of Vero Beach, has been documented as having detectable levels of radon. Because radon is not a problem in the county, no special building regulations apply to address radon. Notwithstanding, the County, through its building division, should be prepared to provide information to citizens who inquire about radon as a potential health hazard. Hazardous Waste Management The Solid Waste Sub -Element of the Comprehensive Plan describes and analyzes current hazardous waste management practices in Indian River County. The following points are summarized: o Currently, the processing of household hazardous waste (HHW) is accomplished by contracting with a State licensed contractor that operates the HHW Program in its entirety. Although the amount of household hazardous waste collected and processed increased by sixty percent (60%) between 1995 and 2005, this increase can be attributed to the County's growth during that period. o According to the State Environmental Health Department, only three events involving the mismanagement of hazardous waste occurred in the county between the years 1995/96 and 2005/06. The Environmental Health Department attributes the awareness of the dangers of HHW and the convenience of the household hazardous waste (HHW) storage facility for the minimal occurrences of illegal HHW disposal by County residents. In the future, it is important for the county to continue to promote public awareness of proper hazardous waste disposal. Community Development Department Indian River County 119