OLDTOWN — Bonner County is lowering a commercial solid waste fee to encourage contractors to separate clean wood waste from wood which can’t be burned.

Solid Waste Director Bob Howard said the Panhandle Health District and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality have approved the county’s operations plan, which allows for the burning of clean wood waste at the Idaho Hill and Dickensheet collection sites.

“As an incentive for commercial customers to separate clean wood waste and dispose of wood in a clean location for burning, Solid Waste would recommend decreasing the commercial fee from $18 to $10 per yard at the Idaho Hill and Dickensheet collection sites,” Howard told county commissioners on Tuesday.

Commissioner Steve Bradshaw moved to approve the recommendation and Commissioner John Connolly seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

“Thanks, Bob, for looking for ways to reduce the cost,” Connolly said.

Commission Chairman Dan McDonald said burning wood waste is much more cost effective than grinding it.

“It makes big savings being able to burn,” said McDonald.

Landowners at the Colburn can breathe easy, meanwhile. The county is still required to grind wood at that site due to the proximity of homes in the area.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.