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59 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 5, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 8, 2004 Ashland council opposes air pollution proposal By BILL CHOY Mail Tribune ASHLAND — The City Council has expressed unanimous opposition to a Oregon Department of Environmental Quality proposal to change air pollution regulations in Jackson County. The DEQ is seeking public opinion on a proposal that would allow a potential doubling of fine particles that would be produced by new or expanding industry. Particulate matter includes waste particles produced by industrial activities, wood burning and vehicles. At meetings and workshops in Medford, the community has shown great opposition to the proposal, saying the new standards would worsen the Rogue Valley’s already polluted air. The council resolution, passed Tuesday night, asks the DEQ to retain current restrictions on the amount of particulate matter pollution that can be emitted by major industry, and to remove the "growth allowance" from the draft plan that allows major industry to emit a greater amount of particulate matter. Current restrictions limit the growth of polluting industries in the Rogue Valley because the added pollution would push the area out of compliance with federal clean air guidelines.. Advertisement Councilwoman Kate Jackson, who helped write the resolution, said it was important for the council and the city to make a statement on the issue. "We don’t think the plan put forth by the DEQ is in our best interest," she said during a break in the meeting. "We want them to stay with the way they’ve been doing (the regulations) because it’s working." Several citizens, all against the DEQ proposal, addressed the council, thanking them for opposing the plan and emphasizing the dangers to air quality and health that more air pollution would bring. Proponents of the proposal have said easing the standards would attract more industry to the county and help create more jobs. The city also will send a letter urging the DEQ to retain current requirements. The letter stresses that improved air quality in the Rogue Valley is a significant factor in the region’s high quality of life and good public health. The DEQ has scheduled a public meeting for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at South Medford High School’s auditorium to take more comments. DEQ is also accepting public comments on the proposal until Jan. 30. A copy of the DEQ plan is available at www.deq.state.or.us/aq/index . Written comments can be mailed to David Collier, Oregon DEQ, Air Quality Division, 811 SW. Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204-1390. Comments may be faxed to Collier at 503-229-5675, or sent to collier.david@ deq.state.or.us. Bill Choy is a reporter for the Mail Tribune and the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times