Task Force Funds Research into Field Burning Alternatives

Washington State Department of Ecology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 1998

98-116

Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Officer, (509) 458-0839; pager, (509) 622-1289

Task Force Funds Research into Field Burning Alternatives

SPOKANE - A special task force set up by the Washington State Legislature has awarded grants for seven research projects that could lead to less smoke from farm fields in Washington state.

"The task force wants to help bluegrass growers improve their available alternatives while finding ways to reduce smoke from other types of field burning as well," said Grant Pfeifer, Department of Ecology air quality supervisor for Eastern Washington and chair of the Agricultural Burning and Research Task Force.

In May, Ecology certified mechanical residue removal, such as raking and baling, as a practical, reasonably available alternative to grass seed field burning. Ecology's decision was based on a special provision in the Washington Clean Air Act for grass seed field burning that is not extended to other crops such as wheat and alfalfa. The task force is charged with finding ways to reduce smoke emissions from other crops.

Burning is used to clear fields of excess residue and may be used to help control weeds, disease and pests.

The 1991 Washington Clean Air Act directs the Agricultural Burning and Research Task Force to review and approve funding for research into alternative farming methods to reduce emissions from agricultural burning. The task force is made up of representatives from the agricultural community, university agricultural programs, public health agencies, local air pollution control agencies and the state departments of Ecology and Agriculture.

The money for the research comes from a 50-cent per acre fee paid by farmers who use burning as an agricultural tool. Farmers are required to get agricultural burning permits before burning so that either the Department of Ecology or the local delegated permitting authority can review the application to assess whether burning is absolutely necessary.

Over the past year and a half the task force has reviewed 14 proposals and has approved funding for seven (see list below).

Funded Proposals

"Evaluating Pest Populations Under High Residue, Direct Seed Cropping Systems for the Inland Northwest", David Lundgren, Manager, Lincoln County Conservation District - 1^st Year Funding $18,907 (2^nd Year Funding $19,663, 3^rd Year Funding $20,450, 4^th Year Funding $21,268

"Integrated Management Systems for Sustained Seed Yield of Kentucky Bluegrass Without Open Field Burning", Glen A. Murray, Agronomist & Crop Physiologist, University of Idaho - 1^st Year Funding $10,290 (2^nd Year Funding $51,275, 3^rd Year Funding $52,007, 4^th Year Funding $41,190)

"Post Harvest Straw-Based Particleboard: Phase II", Jon Booker, Secretary/Chairman, Sunstraw Fiber, L.L.C. - Funding $22,500

"Quantifying Emissions from Cereal Residue Burning", William J. Johnston, Department of Crop & Soil Sciences, Washington State University - 1^st Year Funding $50,000 (2^nd Year Funding $14,500)

"Strip Tillage, Stubble Burning Alternative", Ed Teel, Soil Conservationist, USDA/NRCS - 1^st Year Funding $4,310 (2^nd Year Funding $800, 3^rd Year Funding $800, 4^th Year Funding $200)

"Quantifying Emissions From Fires In Bluegrass Seed Production Fields", Steve Stilson, Dye Seed Ranch - 1^st Year Funding $19,000

"Alternative to Burning for Goatgrass Control", Jon W. Jones, Manager, Whitman Conservation District - Fall & 1^st Year Funding Total $6,500 (2^nd Year Funding $4,800, 3^rd Year Funding $3,000)