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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 1998
98-054
Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, (509) 456-4464, pager (509) 622-1289
SPOKANE - The proposed rule that would render burning of grass-seed fields a thing of the past in Washington state is available for public review and comment.
The proposal, announced Tuesday by the Department of Ecology, identifies "mechanical residue management" as an alternative to burning fields that is both practical and reasonably available.
"We appears to have a reasonable solution to this public health problem, but now it’s the public’s turn to give the proposal a final look," said Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons.
During last fall's burning season, Ecology had imposed a two-thirds reduction in acreage burned (based on 1995 base acreage). The state regulation on grass-seed field burning allows Ecology to end burning of the last one-third of the acreage as soon as "practical and reasonably available" alternatives are found and certified through a public process.
Comments about the proposal must be postmarked by May 8, 1998. In addition, citizens can give formal testimony at a public hearing on May 5, 1998. The hearing is planned for 2 p.m. through 10 p.m. to accommodate people’s work schedules. It will be held at the Agricultural Trade Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., in downtown Spokane.
The language in the proposed rule states that mechanical residue management "means removing…the residue using non-thermal, mechanical techniques including, but not limited to: tilling, swathing, chopping, baling, flailing, mowing, raking and other substantially similar non-thermal, mechanical techniques."
Ecology concluded that mechanical residue management is practical throughout all phases of seed production, including when the field is planted, harvested and prepared for replanting. The rule also states that this method is reasonably available throughout the state wherever baling can be used. Baling is the process of gathering the residue and moving it off the field.
Under some limited circumstances, including seed grown on steep slopes, the farmer may be able to burn.
"Our research shows that these circumstances will be rare, and that this rule will reduce the total acreage by more than 95 percent of what it was a few years ago," Fitzsimmons said.
After the public comment period, Ecology will evaluate all testimony and comments received and make a final decision on the rule in June 1998.
Citizens can pick up at copy of the proposed rule at Ecology’s Eastern Regional Office in Spokane at 4601 N. Monroe, or have one mailed to them by calling (360) 407-6800. The rule is also posted on the Internet at http://www.wa.gov/ecology/air/airhome.html after 1 p.m.
Written comments should be mailed to:
Melissa McEachron
Department of Ecology
Air Quality Program
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Return to Ecology's home page
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
