12/3/2009 4:12:00 PM Smoke solution will require cooperation ADEQ requires permit for burning
Courtesy photo/Marilyn Rodrigues
Agricultural burning became a public menace when a shift in winds combined with an atmospheric inversion blanketed Camp Verde in a layer of heavy smoke.
CAMP VERDE - Following an in-depth inquiry, the Town is discovering that the solution to its lingering smoke problems might be better served through cooperation, as opposed to regulation.
After hearing some new information from acting community development director Mike Jenkins on Wednesday evening, the Town Council believes that voluntary measures are the route to go -- at least for now.
Addressing the issue of neighborhood complaints of woodstove smoke, Jenkins has informed the council that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has little control when it comes to a neighbor's wood smoke.
"We did some additional research with the ADEQ office in Flagstaff and came to find out that individual woodstoves and fireplaces are exempt from their standards and regulations," Jenkins told The Bugle on Thursday. "They also have a fairly weak nuisance portion in their regulations. But they will respond to complaints and they will try to bring solutions to people having problems. They just can't force the issue."
A City of Payson ordinance, which Jenkins suggested as a solution in an earlier memo, was enacted because ADEQ had determined the air quality of the community as a whole was being impacted by older inefficient woodstoves.
But because Camp Verde does not have an ongoing air quality problem at this time, and because most wood stoves already comply with the most recent EPA standards, Jenkins says he doe not believe a similar ordinance would help.
Jenkins notes that although ADEQ does not currently monitor smoke in the Camp Verde area, it does have regulatory control over outdoor burning, including agricultural fields and residential trash and debris.
"The residents of Camp Verde should be aware that they not only need a permit from the Camp Verde Fire District when they are burning, but they also need a permit from ADEQ," Jenkins said.
ADEQ burn applications and permits are available by calling the Flagstaff office at (928) 779-0313.
As for the recent issues with some agricultural burns that blanketed the Town in smoke, Jenkins said ADEQ has changed the acreage limits. Previously, agricultural burns were for up to 20 acres at a time. They were recently lowered to five acres.
However, according to Kent Haugerud, ADEQ's field inspector for northern Yavapai County, the next set of permits will allow for burning 10 acres at one time and only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
"The new permits will require that the first 10 acres be entirely out before the next 10 acres can be burned,' Haugerud said.
Haugerud noted that Arizona state law permits outdoor burning and that his agency's job is to strike a balance between the legal right and the public's health and safety.
Jenkins said that following the council's request, his department would be looking into ways to help encourage homeowners with older stoves to modify them so they do not become a menace for their neighbors.
"It is understood that in these economic times, some people's sole source of heat is a wood stove or a fireplace. But we need to get those people to understand their stoves can impact their neighbors' quality of life," Jenkins said.
Some of the recommendations, Jenkins suggests are as simple as making sure the wood being burnt is thoroughly dry or extending the height of the stovepipe or flue.
Posted: Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Article comment by:
Someone Who-Cares
For the folks who are making the claim that it is needed for heat, my question to you is what would you do if your child, or YOURSELF, couldn't breathe because of the choices of your neighbors. AND what if you had no money to move away from the suffocation? Some people are healthy enough to tolerate toxins....many, many people are not, and are severely suffering.
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Blaise P
Wood burning is apart of the problem although this idea that it is the main problem is false compared to the controled burnning of feilds and yard waste. Even the goverment gets in on the action with its controled burns that look like a major forest fire. What do you think is happening when you drive you are burning gasoine. Look At the pump next time you fill up. This substance can cause birth defects and cancer.
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Its my only way to keep my kids warm in the winter do you want my child to be cold ? I AM SORTA POOR I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO UP GRADE
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Cold weather is also a killer, for those who can't afford other means of heat.
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Julie Mellum
AT a time when smog is a problem of dramatic proportions, and wood smoke is a huge component of it, why tolerate it at all? Wood smoke is a proven killer that is implicated in asthma attacks, heart attacks and reproductive birth defects. It contaminates not only our lungs but also affects livestock, crops, our air quality and water quality.It is even implicated in global warming by absorbing moisture from clouds and interfering with the seeding of rain. How can we justify burning wood for any reason, EPA certified wood stoves or not--knowing these well documented facts. See www.burningissues.org for the facts! Please ask your public officials to clear the air of wood smoke now.
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Roy Belcher
Alright Ria! Glad to see that you have left the dark side and have see the light. I might have read your post wrong and it was simply dripping with sarcasm. Anyway, what kind of pickup and ATV do you own? Maybe we can start a club and get together with other like you and burn used motor oil on the weekends.
Cowboy up!
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
Article comment by:
Ria Rhodes
Yeah. Voluntary cooperation on controlling environmental toxins. That has worked really well in Camp Verde over the years. Good news for respiratory therapists, oxygen sellers, oncologists, pediatric health care workers. Some will develop respiratory diseases sooner, some will die sooner, funeral homes will get a little more business in tough economic times - so there is a silver lining. Lord how we hate being told what to do by the government. I'm off to a barrel burn in my diesel pickup with a ATV in the back and a smoke on my lips. Cowboy up!
