(3) Except during periods of adverse meteorological conditions as may be determined by the Department when direct or public notice thereof has been made by the Department through the news media, 310 CMR 7.07(1) shall not apply to open burning conducted for:
- (a) training or research in fire protection or prevention with specific approval by the Department;
- (b) activities associated with the normal pursuit of agriculture which have been determined by the Department as necessary and which include but are not limited to, open burning of blueberry patches for pruning purposes, dead raspberry stalks, fruit tree prunings, and infected beehives for disease control;
- (c) open burning of brush and trees resulting from agricultural land clearing operations;
- (d) the disposal of fungus-infected elm wood provided that no suitable alternative method of disposal is available;
(e) the disposal of brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris excluding grass, hay, leaves, and stumps from January 15th to May 1st of each year. All such open burning shall be conducted:
- 1. on land proximate to the place of generation,
- 2. at a location greater than 75 feet from any dwelling, and
- 3. between ten o'clock A.M. and four o'clock P.M. No such open burning shall apply to commercial or institutional land clearing for
non-agricultural purposes. Open burning under 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e) shall not be permitted in the Cities and Towns of Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Medford, New Bedford, Newton, Somerville, Springfield, Waltham, Watertown, West Springfield, and Worcester, or where the Department has notified a city or town that:
- 1. open burning under this provision may cause or contribute to non-attainment of federal or state ambient air quality standards for particulate matter,
- 2. open burning under this provision may cause or contribute to a condition of air pollution, or
- 3. open burning under this provision is not permitted due to continued violations of the provisions for the proper conduct of such open burning. (Such action shall be taken only after said city or town has been given written notification of such violations and has in the opinion of the Department failed to take appropriate actions to prevent the continuance of such violations.) Upon request of the Department the permitting authority of any City or Town shall notify
the Department of the number of permits issued during any burning period. (f) the disposal of combustible material with the approval of the Department and after demonstration to the satisfaction of the Department that no alternative suitable method of disposal is available; (g) open burning as described in 310 CMR 7.07(3)(a) through 310 CMR 7.07(3)(f) must be conducted:
- 1. during periods of good atmospheric ventilation,
- 2. without causing a nuisance,
- 3. with smoke minimizing starters if starters or starting aids are used, and
- 4. under the provisions of a properly executed permit issued under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 48, § 13*