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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 5, 1997
97-174
CONTACT: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Officer, (509) 456-4464
Grant Pfeifer, Air Quality Supervisor, Eastern Washington (509) 456-3284
SPOKANE, WA - The state's schedule for finding and certifying an alternative to burning grass-seed fields in Washington has been compressed further in an attempt to avoid burning in the summer of 1998.
State Department of Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons made the announcement at a news conference in Spokane today, saying that the new timeline re-confirms Ecology's and the Governor's commitment to the people of Spokane to solve this problem.
"We take the health concerns very seriously, and we have remained committed to bringing additional relief to people whose health is affected by field smoke," said Fitzsimmons.
Under Ecology's direction, burning of grass-seed fields has been reduced by two-thirds (40,000 acres) over the past two burning seasons. But in order to eliminate the final one-third, Ecology must certify commercially reasonable and viable alternatives that farmers could use.
Fitzsimmons said that by postponing some other air-related projects, Ecology can devote more staff to the certification process and reach a decision quicker.
Gov. Gary Locke supported Ecology's decision, saying he believes it is important to maintain the momentum to identify alternatives to field burning.
"I have been very concerned about the people in Spokane who experience breathing problems because of the smoke, and I am pleased that Ecology plans to address this problem before the next burning season," Locke said. "In situations like this, state government needs to rethink its priorities and mobilize its resources to serve the greatest possible public good. The Department of Ecology is setting a good example."
In his news conference, Fitzsimmons cautioned that suitable alternatives must be found in order for the burning to end. If no commercially viable alternatives can be identified, burning of the final one-third acres will continue to be allowed in 1998.
"No single certified alternative will necessarily apply to all conditions under which grass-seed fields are burned," he explained. "Therefore, residents should expect that some burning will continue until alternatives are certified to cover all types of conditions."
According to the new schedule, citizens and growers alike will know by March 1998 whether certifiable alternatives exist. Depending on public comment received in April, Ecology may be prepared to certify alternatives by early June, giving growers the certainty they need to plan for the 1998 harvest. Until these decisions are made, applications for grass-seed field burning will not be accepted.
The "certified alternatives" process applies only to grass-seed fields; it does not apply to burning of other agricultural crops, such as wheat. State law would have to change in order for Ecology to reduce or eliminate those types of burning.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
