Officials Agree To Hold Hearing On Field Burning Brown Considers Legislation To Regulate Season

The state Department of Ecology has agreed to a Spokane legislator’s request for a hearing into alternatives to grass burning.

Rep. Lisa Brown, a Democrat and House Minority Whip, asked the Ecology Department last month to schedule a Spokane hearing on the controversial issue.

“I’m really pleased,” Brown said Thursday. “It’s clear to me, from the calls I’ve been receiving from the public, that it’s time to revisit this policy.”

Brown said she may also introduce legislation next year to restore the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority’s power to regulate and restrict the grass burning season.

Ecology Department officials reached their decision the day after Gov. Mike Lowry met with grass growers and clean-air activists in separate meetings in Spokane this week.

Judith Gilmore, the governor’s Eastern Washington representative, set up the meetings for Lowry.

The date of the hearing hasn’t been set.

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