Raking or Blowing Leaves into Street Prohibited

Raking or blowing leaves into the street is prohibited in North Canton, as it is in a majority of municipalities.  There are a number of reasons for this policy.

First and foremost, leaves blown into the street are a major problem for storm sewer systems.  They clog both grates and pipes, contributing to back-ups and/or flooding.  They accumulate in the pipes, not only contributing to reduction in flow but also ponding, giving mosquitoes breeding areas.  And, ultimately, if and when the leaves make it to the creeks, they reduce flow there as well as use up oxygen, which reduces the viability of aquatic life.  EPA has indicated that the Nimishillen Creek already fails to meet EPA water quality standards.  This affect further reducing water quality, is one of the reasons the EPA is looking to place even more restrictions on Canton's Wastewater Treatment Plant, potentially costing North Canton residents millions of dollars in additional sanitary sewer costs.

Leaves in the street also are a safety problem, especially when wet.  Cars can easily fail to stop, sliding on wet leaves.  Frozen, they present a problem for both motorists and snow removal.

Leaves, once they are in the street, are no longer able to be recycled but must be transported to landfills.

Finally, for the most part, leaves raked or blown into streets end up blown back into yards by both weather and traffic anyway.

So, for all the foregoing reasons, North Canton has a prohibition against raking or blowing leaves into the street.  We request that all of our citizens comply.