Idaho DEQ Director Toni Hardesty, quizzed by JFAC members as to when Idaho will be moving forward to re-legalize field-burning, said legislation is in the works to set up a new air quality program required by a settlement between all the parties. “We’re very close, but there still are just a few minor issues between the parties that are being sorted out even as we speak this morning,” Hardesty told the joint budget committee. Sen. Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot, said he’s anxious to have field-burning available as a tool for alfalfa farmers in his part of the state. “Will whatever decision we make in Idaho have to please the 9th District court?” he asked Hardesty. She responded, “Whatever decision we make in Idaho will have to be approved by EPA. … We have been working … with them through the process. … The only reason it would go back to the court would be if somebody sued over this, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid by having all the parties come together.”

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