The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a federal rule change that would allow Idaho’s new agricultural burning rules to move closer to implementation, with the possibility of field burning resuming as early as this fall.
EPA Air Program Coordinator Doug Cole says the move expedites the review process and allows the agreement recently reached between clean air advocates, agricultural representatives and the State of Idaho to be recognized under federal law.
Coordinator Doug Cole comments
The agreement, which was also approved by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year, would allow farmers to torch their fields as long as they do so under Idaho Department of Environmental Quality guidelines.Cole says the EPA’s role is to assure that the proposed plan is carried out in accordance with the federal Clean Air Act.
Doug Cole continues
Until the rule finalized, burning is not allowed on non-tribal lands.
Public comment is being accepted through May 29, and can be submitted online at www.regulations.gov. Written comments can also be mailed to the EPA Region 10 Office in Seattle.
