EQCMinutes19770310

DETP/19/48659

''Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 12:02:11 PM (GMT+07:00) Goldstein, Meyer:'' eqcmeeting Eqc environmental quality commission minutes 3/10/77 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission March 10, 1977 At 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, 1977 a special conference telephone call meeting was convened of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission. Connected by conference telephone call were all Commission members: Mr. Joe B. Richards, Chairman; Dr. Morris Crothers, Vice-Chairman; Dr. Grace Phinney; Mrs. Jacklyn Hallock; and Mr. Ronald Somers. Present at DEQ offices on behalf of the Department were its Director, Mr. William H. Young, and several of the Department's staff. REPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION TO THE 59th LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ON FIELD BURNING Commissioner Crothers expressed his feeling that the conclusions drawn in the report weren't consistent with the facts that were set forth in the body of the report. Commissioner Crothers stated he thought the Commission should have a face-to-face meeting regarding the report and that he was not prepared to vote on it at this time. Chairman Richards asked the staff if it was likely that the Legislature would act regarding field burning before the next scheduled meeting of the EQC; or would a special face-to-face meeting need_to be called in the interim. Director Young and Jim Swenson replied that due to the Legislative process, it was unlikely that any action would be taken on the field burning issue before the next regularly scheduled EQC meeting on April 1, 1977. Commissioner Phinney said that it would be good to have the report in before hearings on specific bills were held. Chairman Richards expressed concern that the statement in the report that the most significant problem of field burning was visibility might be minimizing citizen complaints of odor and breathing problems. Commissioner Hallock said she shared Chairman Richards' concern; and also that she had something she wished to add to the report. Commissioner Phinney MOVED, and Commissioner Hallock seconded that the Field Burning Report to the Legislature be postponed until the next regular EQC meeting. The motion passed with Commissioner Somers dissenting. PROPOSED TEMPORARY RULE FOR DEQ AND EQC AUTHORITY DURING CRITICAL SITUATIONS Chairman Richards said he had been contacted by OSPIRG, who expressed concern about not being sufficiently notified of this phone meeting and wanted the Commission to defer action. Chairman Richards asked the staff if they felt the need for this temporary rule was as great as it had been in past weeks and if staff felt that EQC action was needed immediately.