## Appendix D. Copies of public involvement notices

# Frequently Asked Questions

Publication Number: 1 5

- 02

- 004 1 0 3/15 

### Air Quality Program March 2015

National Air Quality
Standards EPA sets national air quality standards for six common pollutants. The standards are set to protect public health and welfare. Violations result in economic penalties to communities and can result in more federal interventio n.

Much like cigarette smoke, wood smoke contains hundreds of air pollutants that can cause cancer and other health problems.

For more information, contact:

Joanna Ekrem Air Quality Program Department of Ecology (360) 407

- 6826 Joanna.ekrem@ecy.wa.gov

Margee Chambers

Public Information and Business Assistance Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (509) 477

- 4727 x114

Special accommodations

If you need this document in a format for the visually impaire d, call the Air Quality Program at 360

- 407

- 6600. Persons with hearing loss, call 711 for Washington Relay Service. Persons with a speech disability, call 877

- 833

- 6341. 

# Spokane Solid Fuel Burning Devices Rule and a Required Revision to the State Implementation Plan

Ecology is accepting public comment on a proposed State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision . The revision incorporates Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency’s (SRCAA) current rule on solid fuel burning devices (like woodstoves , fireplaces, pellet

stoves , and masonry heaters ) in to Washington’s SIP. Ecology must submit this revision to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval

.

Q: What is the State Implementation Plan (SIP)?

A: It is a tool for the EPA and the public to ensure the state and local clean air agencies do their job in safeguarding the air. States are required to develop a SIP to ensure the air is clean and meets the national standards. Washington’s SIP is a compilat ion of :

 Ecology and local clean air agency rules

.

 T echnical data and analysis

.

 P lans to clean up the air in areas of the state that do not meet national standards.

Q: How did the rule change ?

A: The 2014 changes to th e rule help improve air quality and meet federal air quality standards for particle pollution (PM10 and PM2.5) in Spokane County

. The focus was to:

 Align the process for calling burn bans with Washington State law

.

 Clarify the exemption criteria that allow the use of a solid fuel burning device during a burn ban

.

 Meet EPA requirements.

 Improve air quality in areas affected by pollution from solid fuel burning devices

.Publication Number: 1 5

- 02

- 004 2 Please reuse and recycle 

### Air Quality Program March 2015

Q: Why is Ecology proposing to submit this revised plan for approval ?

A: SRCAA’s 1994 rule on solid fuel burning devices is currently included in Washington’s SIP.
SRCAA revised this rule, found in Regulation 1, Article VIII, after a public comment period in 2014. The rule took effect September 2, 2014. Ecology is submitting the revised plan for SIP approval to meet EPA requirements and help the area m eet health

- based federal air quality standards.

Download the SIP revision at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/sips/pdfs/SIPspokane.pdf

.

Q: How can the public get involved 

### ?

A: The public can submit comments to Ecology through April 10, 2015.
You may submit comments:

 In writing :

 By Mail to Joanna Ekrem, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504

- 7600

 By email to AQComments@ecy.wa.gov

 In person at public hearings :

 On April 2, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. at Spokane Regional Cl ean Air Agency, 3104 E Augusta Avenue, Spokane, WA 99207.

Q: 

### What is 

### Ecology accepting public comment on?

A: Ecology is accepting comments on:

 Should Ecology submit the SIP revision to EPA for approval ?

 Is the SIP revision adequate to help the area continue to meet air quality standards?

Ecology will consider all of the public comments received

. Ecology may also work with SRCAA to amend the proposed SIP revision based on comments we receive. If Ecology submits the proposed SIP revision to EPA, EPA will publish a notice and accept public comments before deciding whether or no t to approve the SIP submission.



### M ore wood smoke infor mation : How Wood Smoke harms your Health at: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/91br023.pdf
Focus on Cleaner Wood Burning at: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/91br022.pdf