Agricultural Burning Task Force

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The Agricultural Burning Practices and Research Task Force (Agricultural Task Force) is established by section (RCW) 70.94.650 of the Washington State Clean Air Act. The goal is to work toward a reduction in air pollution emissions from agricultural burning. The Agricultural Task Force, which is chaired by the Department of Ecology, is represented by many different interests. The representatives include Eastern Washington local air authorities, the agricultural community; the Department of Agriculture, local universities or colleges, public health, and the conservation districts.

This diverse group is empowered by the Clean Air Act to develop Best Management Practices (BMP's) to reduce air emissions from agricultural activities, determine the level of permit fees, identify research.

Ecology began the process for revising the Agricultural Burning fees (Chapter 173-430 WAC) through rule making by publishing the Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) in the State Register on May 5, 2010. You can find more information here.

Sign up here to be on the Agricultural Burning Task Force email list.
By signing up for the email list, you will receive a few emails a year from Ecology, including meeting announcements, meeting summaries, research updates, and links to other important topics related to the Agricultural Burning Task Force.

BMP Page Link

Task Force Members

Representative	Organization	Seat
Karen Wood	Dept. of Ecology	Chair
Gary Pruitt	Yakima Clean Air Agency	Local Air Authorities
Michael Ingham	Alfalfa Seed Growers	Agricultural Community
John Cornwall	Intermtn. Grass Growers Assoc.	Agricultural Community
Jay Penner	Wa. Assn. of Wheat Growers	Agricultural Community
Dan McCarthy	Okanogan Horticultural Association	Agricultural Community
Bill Johnston	WSU Crop & Soil Science	Universities or Colleges
Michael Bush	WSU Cooperative Extension	Universities or Colleges
Don Potts	Dept. of Agriculture	Dept. of Agriculture
Dr. Sverre Vedal	University of Washington	Public Health
Larry Cochran	Wa. State Conservation Dist.	Conservation Dist.

Since 1998, the Agricultural Burning and Research Task Force has selected a number of proposals, and has awarded them grant money to further research into viable alternatives to field burning. Research is funded by fees collected through the purchases of agricultural burn permits. Proposals, final reports, and the findings can be viewed by selecting on the research link below.

Agricultural Burning Task Force Meeting Schedule - 2012

The meetings of the Agricultural Burning Practices & Research Task Force for 2012 are scheduled for:

Tuesday, February 7, 2012,
Tuesday, June 12, 2012, and
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Department of Ecology's Eastern Regional Office
4601 N. Monroe St.
Spokane, WA

Contact: Paul Rossow - (509) 329-3400

Task Force Governance Statement 2010

This page has links to research involving agricultural burning and agricultural practices.