Grass Field-Burning Symposium Gathers Health, Economic Data

Just days after it stunned Eastern Washington farmers with an order to stop burning grass fields by 1998, the Washington Department of Ecology this week in Spokane opens a Symposium on Grass Field Burning.

The department hopes to obtain enough information about the health effects and economics of grass seed farming and field burning to determine whether there are viable alternatives to the practice.

Farmers annually burn their fields after harvest to clear away excess plant growth and stimulate seed production for the next crop. They claim burning is necessary to produce a profitable yield.

The department has invited 13 different agencies and associations to speak during the three-day forum that begins 10 a.m. today at the Ag Trade Center. The symposium is free and open to the public.

The first day will focus on health effects of grass smoke; the second day, alternatives to burning; the last day, environmental and economic impacts of grass seed production and burning.

For more information, call Brenda Cavan with the DOE at 456-6378.

In other events this week:

Today

Congress is scheduled to vote on farm bill this week.

National Association of Realtors reports February existing home sales.

World Bank President James Wolfensohn meets with President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, Egypt.

1995 Academy Awards presented in Los Angeles.

Tuesday

Annual meeting of the Washington Rural Health Association opens at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park.

Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meets.

Senate Banking Committee conducts confirmation hearings on renomination of Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan. The panel also considers the nomination of Alice Rivlin and Laurence Meyer to the board.

Wednesday

Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce conducts 1 p.m. tour of North Side businesses Rahco International, Hallett Chocolate Treat Factory, Birdie’s Golf and the Quality Inn. Cost: $20. Call 459-4111.

Spokane Chapter of the Professional Secretaries International meets 5:15 p.m. at Cavanaugh’s River Inn. Call Patricia Crocker-Fox at 533-7065.

Washington Department of Agriculture holds public hearing on proposal to permit independent inspectors at food storage warehouses. Call Verne Hedlund at 360-902-1860.

President Clinton addresses National Governors’ Association education summit in Palisades, N.Y.

U.S. Department of Commerce releases February durable goods orders.

Thursday

Commerce Department releases business investment plans for 1996.

Friday

Attorney Norm Brock speaks at noon to the Spokane Ag Bureau at the Stockyards Inn restaurant.

Commerce Department releases January international trade report and February new home sales.

Saturday

Government ban on production of methyl bromide, a popular farm pesticide, goes into effect.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Sales tax receipts

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, March 25: Washington Water Power Co. comes in at No. 931 in Business Week’s 1996 ranking of the nation’s 1,000 most valuable companies. WWP was the only Spokane-based company on the list, Kaiser Aluminum, which is based in Houston but has more employees in Spokane than anywhere else, was ranked No. 900. The ratings are based on market value.

Best little towns The 10 best cities of 50,000 or less in which to live, as ranked by Money magazine: 1. St Mary’s, Ga. 2. Divide, Colo. 3. Kihei, Hawaii 4. Elko, Nev. 5. Minturn/Red Cliff, Colo. 6. Oakhurst/North Fork, Calif. 7. Battlefield, Va. 8. Winnemucca, Nev. 9. Bluffton, S.C. 10. North Kona, Hawaii