Farmers desiring to burn crop residue, Safe Air for Everyone (SAFE), Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) have agreed on various components of a Crop Residue Disposal (CRD) Program.  The farmers will introduce legislation during the 2008 session to address the central components of the CRD Program; however, it is necessary to promulgate rules, subject to public input, to address the details and implement the legislation.  Due to extremely tight time constraints, the rule must be negotiated in conjunction with the introduction and passage of the legislation.

Farmers desiring to burn crop residue, members of the regulated community who may be subject to Idaho's air quality rules as well as special interest groups (including SAFE), ISDA, tribes, public officials, and members of the public who have an interest in the regulation of air emissions from sources in Idaho may wish to participate in this rulemaking.  Upon conclusion of negotiations, DEQ intends to present a rule to the Board of Environmental Quality for temporary adoption in March  2008.  If adopted by the Board, DEQ will then publish the temporary rule and initiate proposed rulemaking.

Those interested in participating in the negotiated rulemaking process are encouraged to attend the following meetings. For information regarding participation by telephone or scheduling of additional meetings, contact Paula Wilson at paula.wilson@deq.idaho.gov, (208)373-0418. For those participating by telephone, the toll free call-in number and access code for each meeting will be provided below two days prior to the scheduled meeting.

adm.idaho.gov/adminrules/bulletin/mstrtoc.htm

Notice of Negotiated Rulemaking - February 6, 2008