The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality seeks public comment on an air quality plan revision to address proposed changes to the Crop Residue Burning Program rules regarding ozone.
DEQ developed a rule that would give the agency the authority to allow crop residue burning when ozone levels are not exceeding, or expected to exceed, 90 percent of national air quality standards for ozone, rather than the current 75 percent. DEQ says the new 90-percent level still protects ozone standards, and also provides farmers the ability to burn while following smoke management best practices.
Idaho’s proposed rule change meets Clean Air Act requirements, and officials say it and will not interfere with attainment of national air quality standards. DEQ notes that the rule improves overall smoke management by modifying a decision-making threshold to provide greater flexibility on available burn days, which will lead to greater air quality protection.
Comments are accepted by the DEQ through September 14th. (Idaho Department of Environmental Quality)
