Recordpub.com - Clean air idea to fine bonfires Portage, area failing standard

By Mike Hixenbaugh

Record-Courier staff writer

Residents are likely to burn hundreds of small bonfires at Fourth of July celebrations across Portage County this week.

However, with the initial approval of several clean-air task force proposals, those planning to gather around the fire should enjoy it while they can.

As early as next year, there could be restrictions on when Northeast Ohio residents are permitted to burn campfires, bonfires and in-home fireplaces.

If the proposal comes to fruition, any resident burning fires on high air-pollution days could face fines.

The proposal was one of several recommendations that the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency plans to submit to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency later this year.

The plan was created to help the region comply with federal air-quality regulations, said NOACA air-quality planner Amy Wainright.

Portage County - along with Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Ashtabula - does not meet new federal limits for the percentage of fine particulate present in the air.

Particulate matter includes a wide range of microscopic pollutants, such as road dust, diesel soot and wood smoke, Wainright said. The tiny irritants, which are breathed deep into the lungs, have been linked to major health problems, especially for those with respiratory conditions.

Other recommendations included restricting school-bus and semi-truck idling, forcing contractors to only use clean diesels and replacing road salt with liquid brine to melt ice in the winter.

In addition, it was proposed that truck drivers could be fined for emitting too much smoke while driving diesel-powered trucks, which would be regulated at E-Check-like stations located along the highway.

The work group did not, however, support expansion of the current Ohio E-Check program because of a lack of efficient pollution reduction, Wainright said.

The task force recommendations must be approved by the NOACA governing board by October and will then be submitted to the Ohio EPA. The agency would then draft a compliance plan and submit it to the U.S. EPA no later than April. The region would have until 2010 to fully comply with the plan.

If the recommendations reach that level, legislation might need to be passed in order to fine homeowners who violate clean-air regulations by burning domestic fires on days when pollution levels are high.

Similar measures have already been taken in areas throughout the Rocky Mountain states, according to Lynn Malcolm, an administrator with the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District, which serves Portage, Summit and Medina counties in conjunction with NOACA. Thanks to district suggestions, fire size and duration restrictions already exist in the three-county area.

Based on averages, Malcolm said Portage County experiences between 30-40 dangerous air-pollution days each year.

Residents that rely on wood burning as the sole source of heat would likely be exempt, as would the Amish, Malcolm said.

Members of the NOACA work group said they are not attempting to strip anyone of their rights. They just want what's best for everyone, Wainright said.

Recently, two major studies conducted by the American Cancer Society and Harvard University showed that people living in more polluted areas, like Northeast Ohio, had an increased risk of premature death compared to those in cleaner regions.

"Don't get me wrong," Wainright said, laughing. "I love a good fire. It's just that it's a tremendous uncontrolled source of air pollution!"

Earlier this week, NOACA issued air quality warnings for Portage County because of high particulate levels, which is monitered daily at its Web site, www.noaca.org.

15.	Posted by steeler fan08 July 4, 2007
	The EPA is not run by Republicans. If anything it leans toward the liberal democrate party beliefs. Over regulation, more government, less rights for the citizens because they know what's best for us, inventing new laws, trying to find more and more ways to steal a dollar from us. However this is not a Rep or Dem issue, they are only out for their own political careers, it is a need for us to take back our government and force them to represent us, the people. You've seen how powerful we can be by the stoppage of the amnesty bill and the ports bill. Make you voice heard. Talk to you politicians. Find out what they believe in if you don't agree then vote to push them out of office. I was listening to the radio yesterday. The host was asking who they wanted for president. 3 out of 5 said Hillary. Why? she's a woman. Not a good enough answer. Not one could tell the host one thing she did for the people of NY since she's been in office, yet they would still vote for her. If you think we should be fined for bonfires then don't say anything, sit back and watch, just keep your head in the sand a believe that what they want is what's best for us. If you think a law like this is idiotic then call your local rep(CHandler) and go all the way to the govenor if no one will answer. Only you can prevent the loss of your rights!!! and Freedoms!!