National environmental policy act disclosure of air quality impacts for prescribed fire projects in national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region

Abstract

A key purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is to “promote effortswhich will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate thehealth and welfare of man” (NEPA, Sec 2). The Council on Environmental Quality states “theNEPA process is intended to help public officials make decisions that are based onunderstanding of the environmental consequences, and take actions that protect, restore, andenhance the environment” (40 CFR Part 1500.1(c)). Smoke from prescribed fire affects airquality and has the potential to impact human health and quality of life. Public concern aboutthe air quality impacts associated with prescribed burning has led to an increasing need todisclose these effects in environmental documents prepared under NEPA. Prescribed fireprojects are subject to NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1500 -1508). Smoke from prescribed firesmust meet Federal, State, and local air quality regulations. Environmental planning forprescribed fire activities must include careful consideration of air quality impacts andrequirements. This paper describes information that should be considered to ensure thatprescribed fire projects meet the requirements of NEPA.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2002 fire conference: managing fire and fuels in the remaining wildlands and open spaces of the Southwestern United States

Citation

Ahuja, Suraj; Perrot, Laurie. 2008. National environmental policy act disclosure of air quality impacts for prescribed fire projects in national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region. In: Narog, Marcia G., tech. coord. 2008. Proceedings of the 2002 Fire Conference: Managing fire and fuels in the remaining wildlands and open spaces of the Southwestern United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-189. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: p. 193-200