Sanding reminder sent out

About 50 owners of parking lots, sanding contractors and sand and gravel companies got a reminder of Flathead County Health Department's sanding regulations Friday.

Mike Meschke, director of Environmental Health, said the department enforces sanding regulations as part of its air-quality responsibilities.

Meschke said the mailing also went out to the county's own road department.

According to Meschke, suspended dust from sanded parking lots becomes noticeably high this time of year. The department points out that people hired to sand must meet the department's sanding material requirements.

Along with smoke, dust helps build particulate matter to unhealthy levels in the county's air. As a result, the department specifies material used for sanding of a size and hardness that reduces the time it remains suspended in the air.

Regulations require the contractor or person applying sand to test the material and document the results. A copy must go to environmental services by March 20.

Failing to comply with the requirements may result in an inspection and notice of violation and legal action through the county attorney's office.

For additional information, call the environmental health at 751-8130.