Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland and Prescribed Fires

“Interim”? Issues not addressed by policy in May 1998: Agricultural Burning Policy currently under development Collaboration with USDA Regional Haze Impacts Guidance under development The policy is final for air quality impacts from wildland and prescribed fires managed for resource benefits.

Policy Goals Protect public health and welfare Mitigate AQ impacts from smoke PM NAAQS indicator for health Visibility impairment indicator of welfare Allow fire to function in natural role Maintenance of healthy ecosystems

Applicability Fires used to achieve resource benefits in the wildlands Public, Private & Indian lands NOT TO open burning Residential, commercial, industrial sites Land clearing or construction waste Agricultural waste, crop residue, CRP

Principles for Implementing Policy 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 and Prescribed Fires 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 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 Document actions to minimize emissions Evaluate smoke dispersion Identify smoke sensitive areas Specify dispersion criteria, model impacts Set test fires Public notification & exposure reduction Air quality monitoring

EPA encourages FLMs to: 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 and Prescribed Fires Available at: www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1pgm.html Contact: Charlene Spells (919) 541-5255 E-mail: spells.charlene@epa.gov

For More Information Overall Fire Issues Coordinator Sharon Nizich, OAQPS, 919/541-2825, nizich.sharon@epa.gov Agricultural Burning Larry Elmore, OAQPS, 919/541-5433, elmore.larry@epa.gov Fire Emissions Tom Pace, OAQPS, 919/541-5634, pace.tom@epa.gov Wildland and Prescribed Fire Charlene Spells, OAQPS, 919/541-5255, spells.charlene@epa.gov Natural Events Larry Wallace, OAQPS, 919/541-0906, wallace.larry@epa.gov