Health board member favors stricter rules for unpaved roads

Tuesday, June 13, 2000 | 10:41 a.m.

Although the Clark County Health District is proposing sweeping changes to its rules for controlling dust, Henderson City Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers wants even stricter controls on unpaved roads.

Cyphers, also a member of the health district board, would like all unpaved roads treated for dust, she said Monday during the third workshop on the proposed rule changes.

However, Cyphers said she may not have enough support at the board's June 22 meeting to tighten the regulations further.

The county doesn't have much time to make a decision. It must submit the plan to the Environmental Protection Agency by the end of July to receive necessary federal approval. Without that approval, which could take 90 days or more, federal sanctions will limit the region's ability to plan road construction, receive federal highway funds and control local development decisions.

One possible solution to controlling dust may come through better response to citizen complaints, said Michael Naylor, the health district's Air Pollution Control director.

In the future, a dust complaint from a resident filed on the health district's website could trigger an investigation, Naylor said.

To respond to growing dust problems, up to 10 people will be assigned to watch unpaved roads, parking lots and vacant lots for airborne clouds of particulates if the new rules are approved, Naylor said.

County Commissioner Erin Kenny, who has been spearheading efforts to strengthen pollution control regulations, said changes could be made at the board meeting. Kenny is also a health district board member.