SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is now accepting public comment for the next month to discuss the proposed ban of wood burning from November to March in seven northern Utah Counties.
Oral and written comments will go before the Air Quality Board.
The 40-day public comment period started Jan. 1 and will end Feb. 9.
“We welcome everyone’s input,” Bryce Bird said, air quality director. “We’ve made some progress by implementing 23 new rules aimed at improving air quality but still aren’t quite where we need to be to meet the federal health standards. Wood burning does contribute to poor air quality and a seasonal ban during winter inversions will make the air healthier.”
If the ban were approved there would be no burning in fireplaces and wood/coal stoves from Nov. to March 15.
There is a possible exemption for sources above 7,000 feet.
The proposal also exempts restaurants and homeowners whose only source of heat is solid fuel, but they must register with the DAQ after Feb. 1 when the sole source registry opens.
Public hearings will be held at:
· 4 p.m., Jan. 14: Tooele County Health Department, 151 N. Main. St. Room 181
· 6 p.m., Jan. 15: Utah Department of Environmental Quality, 195 N. 1950 West, Room 1015
· 11:30 a.m., Jan. 20: Bear River Health Department, 991 S. 800 West, Room B. Brigham City
· 5 p.m., Jan. 20: Morgan Weber Health Department, 477 23rd St., Auditorium, Ogden
· 4 p.m., Jan. 21: Logan Historic Courthouse, 199 N. Main St., Council Chambers, Logan
· 10 a.m., Jan. 28: Davis County Administration Building, 61 S. Main St., Farmington
· 11 a.m., Jan. 29: Utah County Health Department, 151 S. University Ave., Room 1600
You may submit written comments via email to mberger@utah.gov., or mail to: Mark Berger, DAQ, P.O. Box 144820, 195 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114.
MORE: Click here for more information on wood burning and air quality
