Proposed Rule Change

What are we proposing for King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties?

• Beginning July 1, 2008, no more burning of land-clearing debris.
• Beginning July 1, 2010, no more burning of residential yard waste.

Why are we proposing these changes?

State law requires the phase out of outdoor burning when alternatives are available because:

• Wood smoke is a health hazard and a nuisance. For more information, visit www.pscleanair.org/actions/outdoorfires
• Fires are dangerous and can spread.
• Responses to smoke complaints tie up fire department resources intended for 911 responses.

What is not affected by this proposed ban?

• Silvicultural fires (forestry)
• Agricultural burning (commercial farms)
• Recreational fires (campfires)
• Fire department training fires
• Emergency burning of flood and storm debris (requires a fire permit)

What alternatives are available?

• Curbside residential yard waste pick-up
• On-site chipping and removal (tree services)
• On-site composting
• Off site wood waste recycling

How can I participate in the rule-making process?

• Review comments already made:
  • Burn Ban Comments (PDF, CAUTION large file: 11MB)
  • Additional comments will be appended to the end of this document as they are received.
    
    
• Provide comments in writing by Feb. 28, 2008:
  • E-mail: outdoorburningcomments@pscleanair.org
• Regular mail addressed to:

  Lynn Sykes
  Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
  1904 Third Ave., Suite 105
  Seattle, WA 9810
  
  

• Come to the public hearing before the agency’s board of directors
  • Feb. 28, 2008 9:15 a.m.
  • Seattle Public Library
    Microsoft Auditorium
    1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle.
  • Online map with one-click directions

 

Regulatory package

• Rule change text (PDF, 42KB)
• Environmental checklist (PDF, 11KB)
• Impact Analysis (PDF, 89KB)
• CR-102 filing (PDF, 127KB)
• Board memo res1112 (PDF, 64KB)
• Summary of Public Comments and agency responses (PDF, 64KB)