Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland Prescribed Fires
Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland Prescribed Fires
“Interim”? Issues not addressed by policy in May 1998: n Agricultural Burning n n n Regional Haze Impacts n n Policy currently under development Collaboration with USDA Guidance under development The policy is final for air quality impacts from wildland prescribed fires managed for resource benefits.
Policy Goals n Protect public health and welfare n n Mitigate AQ impacts from smoke PM NAAQS indicator for health Visibility impairment indicator of welfare Allow fire to function in natural role n Maintenance of healthy ecosystems
Applicability n n n Fires used to achieve resource benefits in the wildlands Public, Private & Indian lands NOT TO open burning n n n Residential, commercial, industrial sites Land clearing or construction waste Agricultural waste, crop residue, CRP
Principles for Implementing Policy n n n Promote good wildland mgt. practices Treat sources equitably Encourage collaborative relationships Give flexibility to States & Tribes Expect all stakeholders to act in good faith Hold all stakeholders accountable
Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland Prescribed Fires n n n Air Quality Managers (AQM) and Federal Land Managers (FLM) collaborate Smoke impacts from prescribed fires and wildland fire use count States/Tribes should implement Smoke Management Programs
Basic Smoke Management Program n n n Authorization mechanism Document actions to minimize emissions Smoke management components of prescribed fire plans Public education and awareness Surveillance and enforcement Program evaluation
Smoke Management Components of Burn Plans n n Document actions to minimize emissions Evaluate smoke dispersion n n Identify smoke sensitive areas Specify dispersion criteria, model impacts Set test fires Public notification & exposure reduction Air quality monitoring
EPA encourages FLMs to: n n Work with State AQMs on fire mgt. plans, Regional visibility plans Include smoke management components in each prescribed fire plan
Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland Prescribed Fires Available at: n www. epa. gov/ttn/oarpg/t 1 pgm. html n Contact: Charlene Spells n n (919) 541 -5255 E-mail: spells. charlene@epa. gov
For More Information n Overall Fire Issues Coordinator n n Agricultural Burning n n Tom Pace, OAQPS, 919/541 -5634, pace. tom@epa. gov Wildland Prescribed Fire n n Larry Elmore, OAQPS, 919/541 -5433, elmore. larry@epa. gov Fire Emissions n n Sharon Nizich, OAQPS, 919/541 -2825, nizich. sharon@epa. gov Charlene Spells, OAQPS, 919/541 -5255, spells. charlene@epa. gov Natural Events n Larry Wallace, OAQPS, 919/541 -0906, wallace. larry@epa. gov
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