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Do you have an air pollution complaint?

SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 1-27-99)---If you have a complaint about air pollution, you can report it to the Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority, staff say.

The Authority has in the past deployed field staff to check into complaints of dust and odors, according to Les Ornelas, air pollution control officer. He indicated his $500,000-a-year agency doesn't necessarily like to do so, however.

When people find out about the service, "it's like a feeding frenzy," Ornelas told the Sunnyside and Grandview City Councils Monday.

But one person at the meeting (See related story) indicated there might be a legitimate market for Authority services if staff curb pollution where it arises rather than waste time and paper drafting more blanket regulations to keep bureaucrats happy and local officials steamed.

In fact, the Authority reportedly is set up to handle individual complaints. It has released a "how-to" for persons who want to complain about a local air pollution source.

The toll-free phone to voice complaints, according to Authority staff, is 1-800-540-6950. If enough people call the Authority, reg writers might move into the field rather than staying at their desks writing new regulations.

Staff advised those with complaints to substantiate their reports by keeping a written journal. The journal should contain:

A statement of the journal's purpose: "The purpose of this journal is to record information about air pollution occurring in the Yakima Valley."

Give the location where you see or smell the violation.

Record the time the violation is taking place. Include the length of time the violation takes place.

Include weather conditions, including temperature, winds, direction of winds, clear/cloudy, etc.

Rank the odor. Sniffing the air, decide where it would rank on a scale of 1-4. One is a little odor; four is it's so bad you feel like throwing up.

Tell who was affected by the pollution and how they were affected.

State what you feel contributed to (caused) the problem.

Add any miscellaneous information you feel is important.

If possible, take photos of the pollution.

The Authority is located at 6 S. 2nd St., Suite 1016, Yakima, WA, 98901. It's regular phone is (509) 574-1410, with a FAX at (509) 574-1411. Ornelas is in charge. Ornelas' "regulation rewriter" is Charlie Stansel, whose email address is mailto:charlie@yrcaa.org.

Do you have an air pollution complaint? SUNNYSIDE (Wednesday 1-27-99)---If you have a complaint about air pollution, you can report it to the Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority, staff say. The Authority has in the past deployed field staff to check into complaints of dust and odors, according to Les Ornelas, air pollution control officer. He indicated his $500,000-a-year agency doesn't necessarily like to do so, however. When people find out about the service, "it's like a feeding frenzy," Ornelas told the Sunnyside and Grandview City Councils Monday. But one person at the meeting (See related story) indicated there might be a legitimate market for Authority services if staff curb pollution where it arises rather than waste time and paper drafting more blanket regulations to keep bureaucrats happy and local officials steamed. In fact, the Authority reportedly is set up to handle individual complaints. It has released a "how-to" for persons who want to complain about a local air pollution source. The toll-free phone to voice complaints, according to Authority staff, is 1-800-540-6950. If enough people call the Authority, reg writers might move into the field rather than staying at their desks writing new regulations. Staff advised those with complaints to substantiate their reports by keeping a written journal. The journal should contain: A statement of the journal's purpose: "The purpose of this journal is to record information about air pollution occurring in the Yakima Valley." Give the location where you see or smell the violation. Record the time the violation is taking place. Include the length of time the violation takes place. Include weather conditions, including temperature, winds, direction of winds, clear/cloudy, etc. Rank the odor. Sniffing the air, decide where it would rank on a scale of 1-4. One is a little odor; four is it's so bad you feel like throwing up. Tell who was affected by the pollution and how they were affected. State what you feel contributed to (caused) the problem. Add any miscellaneous information you feel is important. If possible, take photos of the pollution. The Authority is located at 6 S. 2nd St., Suite 1016, Yakima, WA, 98901. It's regular phone is (509) 574-1410, with a FAX at (509) 574-1411. Ornelas is in charge. Ornelas' "regulation rewriter" is Charlie Stansel, whose email address is mailto:charlie@yrcaa.org.