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Condotta's bill to protect
local orchards receives House hearing
Agricultural land owners
would get relief from pests and diseases coming from abandoned, infested
orchards under a bill heard today by the House Fisheries, Ecology and
Parks Committee. Substitute House Bill 2545 would give local governments
the flexibility to OK burning those orchards to get rid of the abandoned
trees harboring the moths and other nuisances.
“Our agricultural community is fighting a constant battle with the pests
and diseases that come from these abandoned and torn-out orchards,” said
Rep. Cary Condotta, R-East Wenatchee, sponsor of the bill. “This bill
would release the stranglehold of state regulations that have been a
barrier to getting rid of the problem.”
SHB 2545 gives county
governments the flexibility to determine whether landowners can burn on
these local properties, rather than leave that decision solely to the
state. Burning can not occur if the community is experiencing an air
pollution episode or has impaired air quality. The bill only applies to
counties with populations under 250,000.
Infestation from abandoned
and torn-out orchards is a particular problem in the East Wenatchee
area. The Department of Ecology has not allowed landowners to burn these
orchards, saying such activity does not constitute “ongoing agricultural
burning,” which is allowed by law. Property owners can then only chip
the trees, which costs about $1,300 an acre compared to $250 an acre for
burning. Many of these orchard owners have gone bankrupt and cannot
afford the price of chipping. SHB 2545 allows local governments to make
the decision about burning these orchards within environmental and other
regulations and make it affordable for land owners to get rid of the
problem.
Mary Hunt, Douglas County
Commissioner, came to Olympia to tell the committee why this bill is
important.
“The Department of Ecology wanted us to chip these 10,000 – 15,000 acres
of land,” she said, pointing out a demand that would cost landowners
$19.5 million, versus just $3.7 if they could burn. “We believe an apple
tree, a cherry tree or an apricot tree is an agriculture product until
it is gone. We (should) allow an orchardist to take his orchard out,
pile it and burn it under our authority and the fire district’s
authority in a way that doesn’t add to air pollution.”
Rep. Condotta agrees.
“This is a case where a state agency’s overly restrictive policy has
resulted in more work and expense for agricultural property owners,”
said Condotta. “Here is our opportunity to give local government more
control over local issues, protect our fruit industry and keep air
quality regulations in place. It’s a win all the way around.”
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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