ECOLOGY TO EXPLORE GRASS SEED BURNING ALTERNATIVES

Washington State Department of Ecology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 1995
95-184

CONTACT:
Grant Pfeifer (509) 456-3284
Jani Gilbert (509) 456-3150

SPOKANE, WA -- Balancing the needs of the grass seed industry while protecting citizens’ rights to enjoy healthy air is the ultimate goal of a year-long project just announced by the Department of Ecology in Spokane.

State Representative Lisa Brown of Spokane, among others, formally requested that Ecology begin the process of exploring alternatives to burning.

"We are gathering all the information we can about alternatives to grass seed burning, and the pros and cons of burning, so that we can make an informed decision about whether a reasonable alternative exists,” said Grant Pfeifer, Ecology's eastern regional air quality supervisor. "We need to hear all sides of the issue and carefully analyze alternative ways to accomplish what burning does.”

According to the grass seed industry, fire "shocks” the grass plant into producing seed. Private research as well as research at several universities has sought to understand what fire does and does not do to grass plants, and to find other methods of accomplishing the same thing.

The Ecology project will have three main components:

Calling in all research results, data and information, and conducting a thorough analysis to determine if a viable alternative exists that is "reasonably available" from logistical and economic standpoints.
Holding an extensive public symposium in late March 1996 to explore alternatives to burning, health issues, and economic issues.
Holding a formal public hearing on the issue in the spring or summer of 1996 to complete the information-gathering phase.

The Clean Air Washington Act of 1991 allows for a practical, available alternative to grass seed burning to be certified for use, if such an alternative is found.