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FOCUS: Outdoor Burning and
Alternatives
Background outdoor/outdoor burning Under the provisions of the 1990 Federal Clean Air Act (FCAA) the southern portion of Clark County was designated a non-attainment area for carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3). This required a ban on outdoor burning within the non-attainment area and new restrictions on auto emissions and industrial pollutants. The area has since achieved attainment status and was designated a CO/O3 maintenance area. However, the restrictions remained in place to assure continuing attainment with the FCAA. Updates on outdoor burning in southwest Washington With the revision of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-425 in 2000, Washington's outdoor burning rules were revised. As of December 31, 2000 outdoor burning was prohibited in cities with a population of greater than 10,000 and their Urban Growth Areas. Prohibitions also apply in adjacent areas with a population density of one thousand or more persons per square mile and areas with a reasonable alternative to burning. As of January 1, 2007 all urban growth areas in the state of Washington are permanent no burn areas. The above rules affect Clark, Cowlitz and Lewis Counties as follows:
Skamania and Wahkiakum Counties:
Currently, cities/population densities in these counties do not
meet any of the above criteria and therefore they are not currently
designated as permanent no burn areas. What is outdoor burning? Outdoor burning is the combustion of material of any type in an open fire or in an outdoor container without providing for the control of combustion or the control of emissions from the combustion. The outdoor burning regulations do not cover silvicultural, agricultural, or any outdoor burning on lands within the exterior boundaries of Indian Reservations. (WAC 173-425 and SWCAA 425) Specifically the outdoor burning regulations apply to residential, land clearing, storm and flood debris, tumbleweed burning, weed abatement fires, fire fighting instruction fires, rare and endangered plant regeneration fires, Indian ceremonial fires, recreational fires, and other outdoor burning. Can I burn with a permit? Outdoor burning requirements vary depending on which county you are in. Click for information on your county below. Clark County · Cowlitz County · Lewis County · Skamania County · Wahkiakum County **Remember! If burning is allowed in your area,
a smoke nuisance must not be created, and the only material
that can be burned is natural vegetation grown on the property where
burning occurs. Are there alternatives to burning? There are many alternatives to burning. Chipping, shredding, composting and other methods are out there to help reduce yard trimmings. Many cities have curbside pickup within the No Burn area. This is not a complete listing and the Southwest Clean Air Agency does not recommend any particular operator over another. For additional listings in all counties, check your local yellow pages. Clark County has five drop-off sites for yard debris and wood waste.
Chipper/Shredder Rentals
Chipping, Mulching, Tub Grinder Services
Chipper/Shredder Retail Stores
Here is other information concerning chipping
contractors, rental facilities, and retail stores in your area. Action Stump Removal: 573-9024 A. Arborman: 577-9143 B & R Tree Service: 357-9809
A. Arborman: 577-9143 Action Stump Removal: 573-9024 Why should I compost? Composting is the most practical and convenient way to handle your yard wastes. It can be easier and cheaper than bagging these wastes or taking them to the transfer station. Compost also improves your soil and the plants growing in it. If you have a garden, a lawn, trees, shrubs, or even planter boxes, you have a use for compost. By using compost you return organic matter
to the soil in a useable form. Organic matter in the soil improves
plant growth by helping to break heavy clay soils into a better
texture, by adding water and nutrient holding capacity to sandy
soils, and by adding essential nutrients to any soil. Improving
your soil is the first step toward improving the health of your
plants. Healthy plants help clean our air and conserve our soil. Any vegetable matter can be composted. Yard wastes, such as fallen leaves, grass clippings, weeds and the remains of garden plants, make excellent compost. Used as a mulch for paths, they will eventually decompose and become compost. Care must be taken when composting kitchen scraps. Meat, bones, and fatty foods (such as cheese, salad dressing, and leftover cooking oil) should be put in the garbage. Updated 5/13/2008 |
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