The annual greenwaste chipping program for the Nipomo area will kick off Thursday, and although it's too late to sign up for the free service in Zone 1, residents in the other two zones still have time to register.

n Zone 1 includes all the areas east of Highway 101 and south of West Tefft Street on the west side of the freeway.

n Zone 2 is bounded on the east by Highway 101, on the south West Tefft Street and along the western edge by Los Berros Road, Pomeroy Road, Calle Fresa, Camino Caballo, Viva Way, Banneker and Highway 1.

n Zone 3 consists of all the areas west of Zone 2's western boundary.

Residents in Zone 2 can sign up until May 22 for chipping that will take place from May 29 through June 11. Residents in Zone 3 can sign up until June 12 for chipping that will take place from June 19 through July 2.

Those who sign up for the service should place their greenwaste near the curb on the starting date for chipping in their zone. Piles can't be greater than 1 ton, or about 15 feet on each side and 5 feet tall.

Only clean yard waste will be chipped; piles can't contain nails, barbed wire, garbage or rocks. Vines, grass, bark, piles of leaves, juniper bushes, lumber and other nonvegetation materials also are not allowed.

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Branches can't be thicker than

6 inches in diameter.

Homeowners can use the resulting chips for landscaping and mulch on their properties.

The event is conducted by the San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council with the assistance of Cal Fire/County Fire Department, the County Air Pollution Control District and Nipomo Community Services District.

For more information and an application, call 929-3911.

May 11, 2008