A public meeting in Union Gap, Washington, met to discuss a proposal to make spraying manure on fields in Yakima County illegal during burn bans. The issue was clouded by doubt about whether the agency monitoring clean air had authority to make that rule.
Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency representatives stated that the intent of the meeting was to discuss main points in the rule and authority questions could be settled later. While this argument wasn’t entirely successful, the points of the rule were discussed.
According to an article in the Yakima Herald-Republic :
Dairy proponents cited the state Right to Farm Act, arguing that farm practices are deemed good if they don’t adversely impact public health. Meanwhile, opponents said the act doesn’t give dairies the right to pollute.
Input from local residents, dairy producers and specialists raised points of concern for both sides. An agronomist who has worked with the dairy industry said he hopes the rule won't undo years of work toward a consensus among dairies over steps to reduce pollutants.
No decision was reached. Another meeting will be held to continue the discussion. PD
—From a Yakima Herald-Republic article by Phil Ferolito
