Appendix D. Copies of public involvement notices

Frequently Asked Questions

Publication Number: 15-02-004 1 03/15

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 intervention. 

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 

impaired, 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) into 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 

compilation of:

 Ecology and local clean air agency rules.

 Technical data and analysis.

 Plans 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 the 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: 15-02-004 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 meet 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 

Clean 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 not to approve the SIP submission. 

More wood smoke information: 

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