(a) Public Education. The SMC will be responsible for coordinating an aggressive program to educate residents and property owners on the YIR on topics such as domestic burning dos and don’ts; how to file complaints about smoke intrusion in sensitive areas; availability of certification courses; Chapter 21.05 YTC and its enforcement; and other topics deemed appropriate. Educational conduits will include print media, radio, television (if possible), signage, and meetings.

(b) Petition for Special Status Designation. Members of the community with health conditions making them sensitive to changes in local air quality may petition the SMP for designation as a smoke-sensitive location (SSL). The SMC is responsible for maintaining a spatial database with each SSL identified, to be used in the decision-making process for burn permits and burn advisories. Community members will be notified of their ability to petition the SMP through local media outlets, as well as through community meetings and advertisements at local health centers.

(c) Project Comment. The input of the community will be solicited on each proposed agriculture/timber/wildlands burning project. Members of the public will be encouraged to visit a website or call a telephone number for information on upcoming burns and will be given information on how and when to comment. For projects over 20 acres in size, projects near smoke-sensitive areas, or projects which may impact air quality for more than one day, the public will be given at least 10 days prior to a burn to comment on the project. For all other projects, at least five days will be given for comment. Emergency burns will be approved on a case-by-case basis and public comment on emergency burns may be collected and received after burning has occurred.

(d) Program Evaluation. Public input will be received throughout the burn season. One method of input will be through complaints, praises, or other comments on specific burning projects. Additionally, public comment will be solicited through community meetings, newsletters, and media announcements to obtain input evaluating the previous year’s burning activities. This evaluation will preferably take place prior to commencement of the subsequent year’s activities, to allow for comments to be incorporated into program design. [Plan § 2.7, adopted, 10/1/2003.]