United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
So FARR, the
Federal Air Rules for Indian Reser
In Idaho, Oregon and Washington
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10
EPA910-N-07-001
Volume 2, Number 1
FEDERAL AIR RULES
FOR RESERVATIONS:
TWO YEARS OLD!
The Federal Air Rules for Indian Reser-
vations (FARR) became effective in
June of 2005 on 39 Indian Reservations
in Idaho, Oregon and Washington,
and since that time much has been
done. These rules were developed to
protect human health and air quality
within Reservation boundaries. Here is
a quick summary of the work com-
pleted to date:
Outreach and Education:
We have developed newsletters,
brochures and posters as well as a
website related to these rules. There
have also been numerous meetings
and presentations to Tribal and non
tribal elected officials and residents. If
you are interested in learning more
about education and outreach
opportunities, contact the FARR
Hotline at 1-800-424-4372
Permitting:
Three permits have been issued using
the minor source provisions of the new
rules. These permits have been issued
to facilities on the Warm Springs and
Yakama Reservations in order to allow
them to expand while protecting the
Air Quality.
Source Registration:
The initial source registration process
has been completed, and the re-
sponse was excellent.
Details on page 6.
Delegation Agreements:
Delegation agreements have been
signed with the Nez Perce Tribe and
the Confederated Tribes of the
Umatilla Reservation. Discussions
continue with a number of other tribes
and we anticipate other delegations
agreements will be signed over time.
These Delegation Agreements provide
an opportunity for tribal governments
to take the lead in a number of FARR-
related activities which increase tribal
capacity to develop and implement
an air quality program.
The FARR Hotline:
The FARR Hotline continues to be a
useful tool for people who have
questions, want written information,
brochures, newsletters related to the
rules, or want to report violations.
Since January, 2006 over 150 calls
have been received on the Hotline.
You can contact the FARR Hotline at
1-800-424-4EPA or 1-800-424-4372.
Details on page 3.
Burn Bans
This important FARR provisions allows
for the issuance of a burn ban when-
ever air quality levels have or could
reach the unhealthy range. Since
June, 2005 over twelve burn ban calls
have been issued pursuant to the
Federal Air Rules for Reservations.
Details on page 7.
If you have any questions or com-
ments about the rules, or suggestions
about how the rules can be changed
or improved, please contact us via the
FARR Hotline.
Other Articles in this Issue
Grants Help Tribes Protect Air Quality .... 2
Where there's Fire there's Smoke 1
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff 7
Improper Handling of Vegetation 4
Outdoor burning Rules Poster 5
To Burn or Not to Burn ... ...3
Where there's Fire,
there's Smoke MM
(This may sound backwards but
in this case it's not.)
Fire represents many things to us. It
plays a significant role in our physical
survival as well as in our spiritual and
cultural lives. It brings us light, warmth,
heat to cook our food, and even
peace .comfort and spirituality. So
how could something so important to
our mental and physical health be of
concern to our overall health and the
health of our family and community?
The real culprit here isn't necessarily
the Fire but the Smoke that is pro-
duced. Smoke is made up of a
complex mixture of gases and fine
particles produced when wood and
other organic matter burn. It is com-
posed primarily of carbon dioxide,
water vapor, carbon monoxide,
particulate matter, hydrocarbons and
other organic chemicals, nitrogen
oxides, trace minerals and several
thousand other compounds. The
actual composition of smoke depends
on the fuel type, the temperature of
the fire, and the wind conditions. The
biggest health threat from smoke
comes from fine particles. These
microscopic particles can get into
your eyes and respiratory system,
where they can cause health prob-
lems such as burning eyes, runny nose,
and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine
particles also can aggravate chronic
heart and lung diseases - and are
linked to premature deaths in people
with these conditions.
continued on page 2
-------
continued from page 1
Fire & Smoke
What exactly is this particle
pollution?
Particle pollution or particulate matter
(PM) is a mixture of microscopic solids
and liquid droplets suspended in air.
This pollution is made up of a number
of components, including acids (such
as nitrates and sulfates), organic
chemicals, metals, soil or dust par-
ticles, and allergens (such as frag-
ments of pollen or mold spores).
The size of particles is directly linked to
their potential for causing health
problems. Small particles less than 10
micrometers (PM10) in diameter pose
health concerns. Particles smaller than
2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) cause the
greatest problem because they can
get deep into your lungs, and some
may even get into your bloodstream.
For purposes of comparison, a human
hair is about 60 micrometers in diam-
eter. Particulate matter in wood smoke
has a size range near the wavelength
of visible light at 0.4 to 0.7 microme-
ters. Exposure to such particles can
affect both your lungs and your heart.
Larger particles are of less concern,
although they can irritate your eyes,
nose, and throat.
What other components of
Smoke are dangerous to health?
When smoke is formed as a result of
burning organic materials like plastics
it can form chemicals that can be
hazardous to your health. A significant
class of these organic chemicals are
the dioxins. Dioxins are formed by
burning chlorine-based chemical
compounds with hydrocarbons These
chemicals form primarily when you
have incomplete combustion such as
happens when burning in a burn
barrel. Dioxins have been shown to
pose a cancer hazard to people. In
addition to cancer, exposure to dioxin
can also cause severe reproductive
and developmental problems (at
levels 100 times lower than those
associated with its cancer causing
effects). Dioxin is well-known for its
ability to damage the immune system
and interfere with hormonal systems.
Dioxin exposure has been linked to
birth defects, inability to maintain
pregnancy, decreased fertility- re-
duced sperm counts, endometriosis,
diabetes, learning disabilities, immune
system suppression, lung problems, skin
disorders, lowered testosterone levels
and much more. Dioxins tend to build
up over time in the body.
Who is at risk from Smoke?
People with heart or lung disease,
older adults, and children are consid-
ered at greater risk from particles than
other people, especially when they
are physically active. Exercise and
physical activity cause people to
breathe faster and more deeply and
to take more particles into their lungs.
People with heart or lung diseases
such as coronary artery disease,
congestive heart failure, and asthma
or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)are at increased risk,
because particles can aggravate
these diseases. People with diabetes
also may be at increased risk, possibly
because they are more likely to have
underlying cardiovascular disease.
Older adults are at increased risk,
perhaps due to undiagnosed heart or
lung disease or diabetes. Many studies
show that when particle levels are
high, older adults are more likely to be
hospitalized, and some may die of
aggravated heart or lung disease.
Children are likely at increased risk for
several reasons. Their lungs are still
developing; they spend more time at
high activity levels; and if prone to
having asthma or other acute respira-
tory diseases, these can be dramati-
cally aggravated when particle levels
are high.
It appears that risk varies throughout a
lifetime, generally being higher in early
childhood, lower in healthy adoles-
cents and younger adults, and in-
creasing in middle age through old
age as the incidence of heart and
lung disease and diabetes increases.
Factors that increase your risk of heart
attack, such as high blood pressure or
elevated cholesterol levels, also may
increase your risk from particles. In
addition, scientists are evaluating new
studies that suggest that exposure to
high particle levels may also be
associated with low birth weight in
infants, pre-term deliveries, and
possibly fetal and infant deaths.
So while we will continue to use and
enjoy fire, it is important to be aware
of the harmful side effects that it can
cause and to try and limit the smoke
generated as well as ours and others
exposure to it.
Grants Help Tribes
Protect Air Quality
Grants enable tribes in Region 10 to
assist EPA with activities essential to
implementing the FARR within reserva-
tion boundaries. Each year Congress
appropriates a limited amount of
funds to EPA to enable federally-
recognized tribes to build their capac-
ity to understand and address air
pollution sources on reservations that
are known to have adverse impacts
on public health, cultural resources,
and the environment.
In Washington, Oregon and Idaho
Clean Air Act (CAA) grants have been
awarded to about one-third of the 39
tribes covered by the FARR to carry
out air quality assessment and control
projects. Over half of these tribal
grantees have established their
eligibility to run ongoing air quality
programs on their reservations. An
EPA grant to a tribe in Region 10 to
fund their air quality protection
activities averages generally $109,000
on an annual basis.
These grants enable tribes to hire staff
to operate air quality monitoring
equipment used for calling burn bans
and keeping the public informed
when air pollution may reach poten-
tially unhealthy levels on the reserva-
tion, particularly for susceptible
populations such as the elderly and
disabled. These tribal staff also assist
EPA with a variety of FARR implemen-
tation activities, such as responding to
complaints related to burning of
prohibited materials, outreach on
FARR registration to commercial
sources, and issuance of burn permits,
where required.
The tribes running ongoing air pollution
control programs generally contribute
either 5% or 10% of the costs their air-
related work from their own resources.
More and more collaborative efforts
between the EPA, tribes and the
surrounding state and local jurisdic-
tions have sprung up in recent years to
make use of each entity's unique
expertise and authority for more
efficient and effective environmental
protection. These partnerships among
the different governmental entities
have proven to be a successful means
to stretch limited funding resources to
accomplish common air quality goals.
Although there has thus far been
insufficient CAA tribal grant funds
available to support air programs or
projects on all federally-recognized
reservations, tribes without such grants
typically are still able to build their
continued on page 3
-------
You've got questions? We've got answers
Call the FARR Hotline
Can something be done about burning garbage in my neighborhood?
Do I have to live with foul odors?
Am I required to get a permit to burn natural vegetation?
Am I required to register my business under FARR?
Can something be done about the dust being created in my neighborhood?
Is there a Burn Ban in effect?
The FARR Hotline deals with these
types of questions all the time. In fact
it's our job. You may not always like
what the answer is but we will do our
best to let you know what can be
done and what can't be done under
FARR. We are dedicated to not only
help you understand about the rules
but to work toward solving the prob-
lem. In many cases we find that
knowledge and education is the
quickest and most effective way to
bring about a change. When most
people realize that FARR is aimed at
protecting the health of the commu-
nity as well as the environment, they
will comply to the best of their ability.
Unfortunately we can only educate if
we know who needs to be educated.
That's where you come in. You are
the eyes, ears and noses of your
neighborhood. If something appears
to be violating the rules and poten-
tially affecting your health and the
health of your family and neighbors
then only you can bring about a
change.
Please let us know
by calling the
FARR Hotline at
1-800-424-4372.
// you are calling with a complaint
then:
/ We will listen to what you have to
say
/ We will take down the necessary
information (anonymously if
desired)
/ We will contact the tribal air staff to
consult with them
/ We will follow up on the call and
make any other appropriate
connections
/ We will talk with the alleged
offender and educate them about
the FARR
/ We will report back to you on the
outcome
/ We will do this all in as timely a
manner as possible.
During this last year we have received
over 100 calls over the hotline. Of
these 50 dealt with alleged violations
of the FARR. We followed up on each
of these complaints and had reached
90% of the alleged violators personally.
The vast majority of these, after being
presented information about FARR,
have not repeated the act that
caused the complaint. The number of
repeat offenses is amazingly low. We
believe the system is working and
encourage you to use it.
FARR Hotline Ditty
If an open burn you happen to see
And it is brush or limbs from a tree
It's Okay as long as it is controlled
And about it we do not need to be told.
But if it's a burn with garbage or debris
According to FARR that's not meant to be
So call the FARR Hotline as soon as you are able
We can inform them that FARR takes these off the table.
For your families' health and that of your neighbors we're sure
That pollution is bad and clean air offers the best cure
So especially for the young and our elders we raise the bar
For a cleaner environment by embracing the FARR.
continued from page 2
Grants Help Tribes Protect Air
capacity to manage environmental
problems, including air pollution,
through EPA's Indian General Assis-
tance Program (IGAP) grants. With this
support they are able to do initial
assessment of the nature and level of
environmental problems, including air
quality. Some tribes are able to
operate air quality monitors to deter-
mine whether air pollution should
receive priority attention relative to
other environmental problems they
may face. While EPA is responsible for
FARR implementation on the reserva-
tions of these tribes using IGAP funds,
their environmental staff may never-
theless also provide assistance with
initial complaint response, burn ban
call consultation, and outreach to the
community on good air quality-
related practices and the FARR, to
the extent that they are able.
To Burn or not to Burn?
That is the Question
As the Federal Air Rules for Reserva-
tions (FARR) has been promulgated,
questions have come up which need
creative solutions. The question is how
and who should respond to an open
burning complaint or how to call a
burn ban on a reservation where a
road divides houses or businesses on or
off of a reservation. Air does not
honor a boundary line or fence;
therefore we need to be consistent
and smart on how the use of a burn
ban is applied either due to health
risks from high air pollution levels or for
fire safety purposes. Below is one
solution that the Suquamish Tribe and
the EPA used with the local fire
departments.
The Suquamish Tribe and Two Fire
Departments Enter into an MOA with
EPA Region 10 for Implementation of
the General Open Burning Rule on the
Port Madison Indian Reservation,
Washington
In April 2007, the Suquamish Tribe, two
local fire departments, and EPA
Region 10 entered into an intergovern-
mental memorandum of agreement
(MOA) to facilitate cooperation
between all parties for implementing
the FARR open burning rule and burn
ban procedures on the Port Madison
Indian Reservation. When the FARR
was published, it established a Federal
Implementation Plan (FIP) for the Port
continued on page 8
-------
Improper Handling of Vegetative Matter can Impact Air Quality
Over the Memorial Day weekend this
year, smoke with an offensive odor
covered parts of the City of Toppenish
on the Yakama Reservation. The
residents of the affected neighbor-
hoods reported that the outdoor air
quality was so bad that they could not
do any of their normal holiday outdoor
activities. The air monitor at the high
school showed elevated readings
during this period. EPA received many
calls on the FARR hotline complaining
about the smoke and identifying the
potential source.
Smoldering Fires are
not allowed under FARR
Jerry Craig, EPA's on-site representa-
tive for responding to complaints on
the Yakama Reservation, was in-
formed of the complaints. He con-
tacted each of the complainants to
get a first hand report of the situation.
Through these conversations, Jerry
located two smoldering piles of mint
slugs (this is the remains of the mint
after the mint oil has been extracted
from the plant) in the immediate area
that were causing smoke. EPA issued a
Notice of Violation to the owner of the
property containing the smoldering
mint slugs, citing the owner for burning
prohibited materials, allowing materi-
als to smolder, and failing to keep
material dry. Each of these is a
violation of the Federal Air Rules for
Reservations.
What's the Solution?
It is important that any vegetative
debris, including mint slugs, be
handled and disposed of properly to
minimize the potential for air quality
problems. Based on conversations with
other farmers who handle mint slugs
and EPA observations, we have found
the following:
1. Mint slugs can be used as a
composting material and be
plowed back into the soil. Mint
slugs are sometimes mixed with
manure to make good compost.
2. Mint slugs should not be
compacted and should be in piles
that are limited to the size of a
dump from the mint extraction
truck, with sufficient space between
the piles to allow easy access.
3. If you have no use for the mint slug
- don't hold it in a pile. Remove it
from the site and dispose of it
properly.
Bill Todd, Inspector, In front of pile of smoldering Mint Slugs
Another pile of compressed mint slugs which are not burning
Burning mint slugs is allowed only if it is
consistent with the Federal Air Rules for
Reservations and other applicable state
and local fire safety laws. You can find
more about these outdoor burning rules
on the FARR website www.epa.gov/
rl Oearth/FARR.htm or by calling the
hotline at 1-800-424-4372.
Steps to Take When Air Quality Is Unhealthy
Stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity and physical exertion. This includes keep-
ing children from playing outdoors during smoky periods.
Asthma sufferers or those who suffer from other respiratory problems should
follow their asthma or breathing management plan or contact your health
provider.
Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid those areas with
highest concentrations.
Use the recycle or recirculate mode on the air conditioner in your home or
car.
Some room air cleaners, such as HEPA filters, can help reduce smoke
indoors if they are the right size for your home and if the filters are kept
clean.
If you have a lung and/or heart condition, be sure to keep at least a five-
day supply of medication on hand.
Keep airways moist by drinking lots of water. Breathing through a warm, wet
washcloth can also help relieve dryness.
It's important to know that paper "dust" masks, commonly found at hard-
ware stores, are ineffective against smoke particles. A fitted mask (select
those designated OSHA N95) can be used to reduce smoke exposure unless
it interferes with breathing
Don't burn and reduce vehicle use and idling.
-------
Tires
Pesticide Containers
Construction or
Demolition Debris
Asphalt
Burning items like these (
is Unhealthy 4
Illegal under the
Federal Air Rules
for Reservations
(FARR)
It is only legal to burn
natural vegetation
Metals
Petroleum Products
Commercial Paper
Cardboard
Structures
Junked vehicles
For further information or to report illegal burning
call the FARR hotline at 1-800-424-4372
or visit the website at www.epa.gov/r1 Oearth/FARR.htm
WHAT Fires Are ALLOWED?
Cultural and traditional fires are exempt from the FARR outdoor burning rule.
The open burning rules do not apply to fires inside Sweat Houses or Lodges.
Other fires allowed under the FARR, except during a burn ban:
Burning paper, paper products or cardboard necessary to start a fire.
Burning paper, paper products or cardboard that is generated at a single
family residences or residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units
and is burned at the residential site.
Burning natural vegetation (i.e. yard waste).
Recreational fires, provided no prohibited materials are burned.
Allowance with Permission from the EPA
Open outdoor fires used to train firefighters.
Outdoor fires for fireworks disposal
Please notify your local fire Department of your planned burn. Local regulations,
burn bans, and permits may be required before burning.
EPA FARR Team Contacts
Dave Bray, FARR Rule Development,
(206)553-4253
bray.dave@epa .gov
Steve Body, Delegation
Agreements, Smoke Management
(206) 553-0782
body.steve@epa.gov
Doug Cole, Team Lead for FARR
(208) 378-5764
cole.doug@epa.gov
Jerry Craig, Outreach and
Complaint Response (Yakama)
(509) 952-3057
craig jerry@epa .gov
Don Dossett, Inspector Credentials,
Enforcement Penalty Guidelines
(206)553-1783
dossett.don@epa.gov
Doug Hardesty, Permit Team Lead
(208)378-5759
hardesty.doug@epa.gov
Mary Manous, Tribal Air Grant
(206)553-1059
manous.mary@epa.gov
Rich McAllister, Office of Regional
Counsel, Tribal Law Specialist
(206) 553-8203
mcallister.rich@epa.gov
Angel McCormack, Outreach and
Education, Smoke Management
(206)553-1498
mccormack.angel@epa.gov
Christina Miller, Tribal Air Grants
(206)553-6512
miller.christina@epa.gov
Gary Olson, FARR Hotline Lead,
Inspector
(206)553-0977
olson.gary@epa.gov
Steven Potokar, Lead for FARR
Enforcement
(206) 553-6354
potokar.steven@epa.gov
Keith Rose, Lead for FARR
monitoring and Burn Bans
(206)553-1949
rose.keith@epa.gov
Debra Suzuki, FARR Rule
Development, Tribal Implementation
Plans
(206)553-0985
suzuki.debra@epa.gov
Bill Todd, FARR Registration Lead
and Inspector
(206)553-6914
todd.bill@epa.gov
-------
Businesses Make First FARR Registration a Success
Success may be hard to define at
times, however, considering that this is
the first year that FARR registration was
required of certain businesses on
reservations, the response received is
truly a success story.
Why is the Registration Rule
Important?
The emissions and other records
provided by the companies that
register create useful tools for making
certain that air quality standards are
met for environmental policy planning
by EPA, tribes and other government
agencies.
Health Impacts of FARR
Registration Rule.
It is vitally important that we continue
to work to minimize emissions and
improve air quality which in turn
creates a healthier environment. By
analyzing the emission data from the
FARR registrations and working to-
gether with the sources on improve-
ments to their operating practices this
can be done.
Why was it a success?
Outreach, Education,
Cooperation
In order to get the maximum response
from the possible registration sources,
an outreach campaign was launched
to get the information out to the
business community that could
potentially be affected by the rule.
This was accomplished by a mail out
to potential sources and newspaper
articles advising the general public
about the Federal Air Rules for Reser-
vations (FARR).
As the Registration Rule was a com-
pletely new type of rule to many
companies, educational tools were
developed to assist businesses to
complete the registration forms or help
them determine if they would be
required to register. Registration
workshops and seminars were held in
the region, examples of emission
calculations were developed and
mailed out plus a Registration Link was
made available from the FARR
Website.
Grain Elevator on Nez Perce Reservation.
Collection of particulate matter from boilers at sawmill on Colville reservation.
EPA worked closely with many compa-
nies and organizations and assisted
them to complete their registration. In
some instances this was providing
advice in using the correct AP 42
emission factors that enabled them to
estimate the amount and type of their
emissions. For others we helped
businesses develop a spreadsheet for
multiple emissions. Many of the
companies we assisted were able to
determine that they were not required
to register because they did not have
the potential to emit more than two
tons of a single pollutant that would
have made them subject to the
registration rule.
To date we are extremely pleased with
the response as stated earlier but we
may not have reached all companies
that are required to register and we
encourage them to do so as soon as
possible. If in doubt they should call
the FARR hotline at 1 -800-424-4372.
-------
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.
This is a familiar expression that works
in some areas but not for air pollution
monitoring. It's the small stuff, the tiny
particles that are in the air that in fact
can have the greatest impact on your
health (see article on smoke effects on
your health). For that reason the EPA
working with the reservations has a
monitoring program on several
reservations. We have several differ-
ent types of monitors depending on
the information that we want to get
and the resources available for the site
of the monitor. The most common
monitor is one that determines the
particles size and the amount of
particulate in the air. Particle size is
measured in micrometers(um) which is
a millionth of a meter, (the diameter of
a hair is about 60 micrometers ) The
amount of particulate is measured as
micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3).
(the weight of particles of a particular
size in a cubic meter of air). For
example if there is a PM 2.5 reading of
20 ug/m3 this means that the monitor
has detected a concentration of 20
micrograms of particles in a cubic
meter of air which are less than or
equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameter.
There are also monitors which capture
the particles in the air so that they can
be analyzed for their composition.
Monitoring for fine particulates (PM2.5)
is currently being conducted on 16
tribal reservations in Washington,
Oregon, and Idaho with financial and
technical assistance from EPA Region
10. These 16 reservations are the Nez
Perce, Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai,
Shoshone-Bannock, Chehalis, Colville,
Kalispel, Makah, Puyallup, Quinault,
Skokomish, Spokane, Tulalip, Umatilla,
Warm Springs and Yakama. The PM2.5
concentrations on these reservations
are monitored continuously, and the
data is generally available on the
tribal or associated State air monitor-
ing agency websites for access by the
public. The purpose of this monitoring
is to: 1) assist Region 10 and the tribes
in calling burn bans when air quality is
threatened, and 2) to keep the
reservation community informed of air
quality conditions to protect the
health of those who are sensitive to
poor air quality conditions.
On December 17, 2006, the EPA
lowered the PM2.5 24-hour standard
from 65 ug/m3 to 35 ug/m3. The
reason this standard was lowered is
because scientific studies conducted
over the past 10 years indicate that
respiratory effects can be experi-
enced by sensitive individuals at levels
as low as 20 ug/m3. The lowering of
the 24-hour standard will also lower the
threshold for calling burn bans on
reservations under the Federal Air
Rules for Reservations (FARR). Since the
FARR allows Region 10 to call burn
bans when PM2.5 concentrations
reach 75% of the standard, the PM2.5
threshold for calling burn bans is now
26 ug/m3. EPA will be working with the
tribes and other local agencies
through consultation to determine the
best way to implement this new
standard.
In order for the public to understand
the potential health effects of el-
evated levels of air pollutants that
have air quality standards, EPA has
developed a rating system called the
Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI
includes six levels: good, moderate,
unhealthy for sensitive groups, un-
healthy, very unhealthy, and hazard-
ous. The PM2.5 AQI on tribal reserva-
tions during most of the year is in the
'good' to 'moderate' range. However,
during periods of air stagnation, the
continued on page 8
Burn Bans
The Federal Air Rules for Reservations
(FARR) Outdoor Burning Rule pro-
vides EPA Region 10 with the author-
ity to call burn bans on Indian
Reservations when meteorological
conditions or deteriorating air quality
creates unhealthy conditions. Tribes
can request delegation under the
open burning rule to call burn bans
for their Reservation with EPA over-
sight.
Over the last 2 years under the FARR
the EPA has called 12 burn bans. The
first call covered all 39 reservations
under FARR as a large area of
stagnation settled over the Pacific
Northwest in the Fall of 2005. Subse-
quent burn bans have been more
limited and have covered from 1 to
9 reservations with durations of 2 to
21 days. Currently 2 reservations
have delegation to call burn bans
and they have done this as condi-
tions have dictated. These burn ban
calls are not included in the above
information.
The chart below shows what the
impact of calling a burn ban can be.
This is data from a monitor near the
Yakama Reservation. It shows that
particulates were reaching high into
the air during the period from 11/16
to 11/18. These levels were getting
into the unhealthy range (See smoke
effects on health). Quite a bit of
outdoor burning was occurring on
the reservation during this period.
Meteorologists indicated that an
area of stagnant air was setting up
and would be present for a number
of days. Based on this and consulta-
tion with the environmental manag-
ers from the tribe a burn ban was
called. All outdoor burning other
than ceremonial was stopped. The
results of the burn ban on air quality
are shown by the dramatic decrease
in particle concentration from the 45
microgram per cubic meter(ug/m3)
down to less than 10(ug/m3) and
into the good range. This was as a
result of stopping the burning as the
stagnant weather conditions actually
continued through to 11 /22 when the
burn ban was lifted.
Yakima S 4th
402 S 4th Ave, Yakima
Pm 2.5 Nephelometer - ug/m3 24hr I
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
line
11/17
2005
lira)
11W
11(22
01001 FvĞĞi E
lira
-------
continued from page 7
Don't Sweat it.
AQI can occasionally be 'unhealthy
for sensitive groups'. When this condi-
tion occurs, EPA recommends that
sensitive individuals restrict their
activity to minimize their exposure to
air pollution.
This Is an air monitoring station for the
Makah Tribe in Neah Bay
(r to I) Erin Jeffries; Dana Sarff, Makah
Tribe; Rich McAiiister, EPA
If you would like further information
about PM2.5 monitoring on tribal
reservations, or about burn bans under
the FARR, please contact the FARR
Hotline at 1-800-424-4372.
continued from page 3
To Burn or Not to Burn
Madison Indian Reservation (40 CFR
Part 49 Subpart M, Sections 49. 10921
through 49. 10950). Two fire depart-
ments serve the Reservation: North
Kitsap Fire and Rescue (NKF&R), and
Kitsap County Fire District #18 (Poulsbo
Fire Dept). The Reservation, located
on the Kitsap Peninsula, has physical
boundaries that are difficult to distin-
guish in some areas and is checker-
boarded with non-Indian privately
owned fee property in some areas.
The MOA describes the roles of the
Suquamish Tribe and the fire depart-
ments for responding to air quality
complaints, providing fire safety, and
enforcing any "burn ban" issued by
EPA. When responding, the Tribe and
the fire departments will provide
education and outreach on the FARR,
and information on NKF&R or Poulsbo
Fire Dept fire safety rules. Where fire
safety is at issue, the fire department
will extinguish the fire. The Tribe will
forward to EPA information about
complaints and responses.
In the MOA, EPA agreed to consult
with the Tribe before calling a burn
ban to prohibit open burning, and
agreed to make burn ban decisions
consistent with the Puget Sound Clean
Air Agency whenever possible. A
mutual goal of the Tribe and the fire
departments was to simplify enforce-
ment of a ban by having the same
decisions for Reservation and near-by
off-reservation activities on when to
call and lift a ban.
FARR Liaisons
Each Indian Reservation is represented by a FARR Liaison designated by the
governing body of each Tribe to work with EPA Region 10 to implement the
FARR. Please visit our website at www.epa.gov/rl Oearth/FARR.htm to learn more
about what FARR Liaisons do and for a complete listing and contact information.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA Region 10 Office of Air, Waste & Toxics
1200 Sixth Avenue (MS-107)
Seattle, Washington 98101
Pre-Sorted Standard
Postage and Fees Paid
U. S. EPA
Permit No. G-35
The new Federal Air Rules for Reservations
now control sources of air pollution on 39
Indian Reservations in Idaho, Oregon and
Washington
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Federal Air Rules for Reservations
Attention: FARR Hotline
Office of Air, Waste & Toxics
MS-107
------- |