07/23/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Stan Long, City Attorney, informed the Council of the happenings in . Salem regarding the field burning issue. First, as to the enforcement of the present federal limitation of 50,000, the Attorney General's office . assured the Court that they had no intention of violating the law in the future and would comply with the law until it was changed. The judge lifted the writ and advised them and the City of Eugene that if burning exceeded 50,000 without a change in the law, he would reissue the writ preemptorily. Mr. Long said this was the first time anyone has formally given their assurance that they will indeed comply with the law until the law is changed. The second development was in regard to the State's request to change the federal limitation by changing the State's Implementation Plan. The State applied this year for an increase to 180,000 acres with burning conditions and techniques that were not satisfactory to the City of Eugene. Mr. Long said they have received word from the Environmental Protection Agency that the State's request would be denied. The EPA also advised they were going to implement their own plan and would give notice of intention to approve 180,000 acres provided certain technical. justifications could be made. This matter will come back to the State for additional hearings on burning tech- niques and justifications. If these techniques are made part of the SIP, it would go through the process of approval and be publication in the Federal Registry and would ultimately become federal law, assuming all the conditions are met. Final approval of a change, if justified, would come in December. Councilor Smith asked Mr. Long what might be happening in terms of e meetings or rulings. Mr. Long responded that the EQC would be having a meeting soon, and there were several minor points the City has questions about. The big item is the 250,000 acre limitation authorized by the legislature, which will set off the whole revision process again next year. He believes the more responsible course for the City to follow 1s to develop a level which represents a reasonable compromise and stay with that. Councilor Delay asked Mr. Long if he expected that this new review process would give the City adequate room to ensure that some important items, like improved acreage release systems and some of the incentives are included in any such burn program. Mr. Long said he hoped that was what was involved. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Concurrent Annexation/Rezoning 1- Property located south of Ayers and west of Gilham from County AGT,RA to City R-1/PD (Marvin Knutson)(AZ 79-2) (Map and information distributed) Unanimously recommended by Planning Commission on June 5, 1979. I 7/23/79--2 e 3't 'l.