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Show V. Utah Farm Bureau Testifies Many phases of agriculture require the disposition of crop residues such as stuble, tree prunings, ditch banks, etc. Not only do these waste material clutter the appearance of property but they are an economic liability as well. Many methods have been proposed for disposing of these materials. For many years the most economical and quickest way has been burning. In recent years environmentalists have questioned current practices suggesting unnecessary air pollution results. As an effort to clear the record and maimaiirreason and understanding of the agricultural situation the following material is printed for the readers benefit. It Includes material presented before the State Air Conservation Committee and the State Board of Health, February 23, 1971 State of Utah: The Utah Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to present this statement to the State Air Conservation Committee and State Boards of Health on the proposed ban on open burning of certain agriculture wastes including prunings We realize that conditions vary from state to state, but California is a place that probably has as bad an air pollution problem as any- where in the country. They probably have made more study of the problem and have passed more stringent regulations than any other state Front row (I. to r.) Barbara Whitbeck, State chairman, Ellen Clark, from fruit trees.'- Elda Hillyard, Fern King, Vesta Boyer. Back row: Pamela Turner, in the union. California is also the number one Farm Bureau is Utah's largestf arm organiwe Ruth While Roberts, Dorothy Hawkins, LaRue Hamilton, Maxine Garn, Joy zation with 10,000 member families. We believe state in total agricultural production. Sunderland, Hazel Sanders. that die proposed ban on open burning is have no figures to compare, we would guess that they would have ten times the open burning discrimnatory, unenforceable unnecessary, and potentially disastrous to the fruit industry carried on in any given prea, compared to of the state of Utah. The 1964 Agricultural what wehavein Utah. Yet California allows open Census, which is the last one which figures are burning with permits, similiar to the present available, shows that there were 1,023,439 regulations we have in Utah. Our fruitmen are in direct competition with fruit trees grown in commercial orchards in the California and other surrounding areas, such as state. The production from these trees was valtrees Idaho, Washington and Oregon none of which ued at nearly six million dollars. These of the influence of said Increases A workshop for State Farm Burwere grown on 1,819 separate farms. impose the type of controls suggested here. The addition of this burden upon our orchardists eau Women Committees was held and the expected outcome. She inA comprehensive study on the contribution dicated that in their area, with the could well force many of diem out of business. ht the Ramada Inn in Salt Lake of burning of agricultural wastes top oto chemiWoFederal Government owning and City, February 22, 1971. We also feel that the committee should concal air pollution was made in 1966 by the controlling 80 or more of the land men leaders from four Western We don't enforcement of Censider the Research Pollution California Statewide Air problems states attended the confab. Mrs. area there was not private land available as a substitute when usknow who the enforcing people would be, but Haven Smith, winner of the Freeter assisted by scientists from the University untend-ab- le of California at Davis and Riverside. We are we assume that much of die burden would fall doms Foundation at Valley Forge ing federal lands becomes because of the economic presaward for an address she deliattaching a copy of the report of this study to upon county and city law enforcement officers. sures put on by the fee Increases. in Salt Lake in 19GG, vered here These people are overburdened now with crimes our statement, and we would urge that the ComOther factors such as predictors and Chairman of the AFBF Woof a more serious nature, and they would be mens Committee was here to dirmittee study this report We will quote but also caused considerable losses thats reflect concern, particularly ect the program. Wyoming Nebriefly from it The report shows that one ton inclined to overlook violations of these regulawhen other economic pressures Women Utah and Idaho parvada, of fruit prunings produced' an average of 3 tions. It is a well known fact that disrespect are brought to tear. The cost price ticipated. pounds of hydrocarbons when burned and an for all law results from the passing of unensqueeze, Increased costs of equipaverage of C. O. of 30 pounds. Figures from forceable ordinances. ment, labor, material, and supplier centered discussion Significant We spoke previously of the problems of dirates and the like and interest durthe Los Angeles County Air Pollution District women effectiveness around same time could easat the to Bur.with not in connected sease autoable control Farm hitting Show that a ton of gasoline burned in being ing the coming year mean for the range disaster eau programs. Organizational ily mobiles produces between 850 to 900 pounds bum prunings. There are several diseases which operators. and instruction were givof C. O. Thus 75 pounds of gasoline or about attack various berries and fruits, for which the training state Each en Organizing the state women in emphasis. major 10 gallons will produce as much pollutants in only known control is the burning of the distate to do constructive work each delegation presented ideas used in worst of these fire seased The is the resolution of the diffitoward C.O. as one ton of tree prunings. plants. blight their respective states for all to uncult left problems was given assistance share. Few clods were The study also measured the oxides of Plant pathologists feel that this is the most deturned in attempting to see the real by Bill Eastman and Eldon Schnoor nitrogen and 24 individual hydrocarbons. All structive of all apple and pear diseases. issues facingagricultureinl970s. of the AFBF staff. Duane L. Coyier, Plant Pathologist of the were extremely low in amounts released into The two day conference was felt Methods of presenting the idea A of the this USD has Research the air. This, and other studies have led Calito Ag. be highly successful and enjoyed Department that food is a bargain to quiet the to say about fire blight control "Control of fire talk that food Is so expensive. by all in attendance. fornia and other states to conclude that polluIn relation to spendable Income tion from this source is so minor as to require blight is often a difficult but not impossible task. Fruit growers can minimize the destruction of food is about 16.5. The lowest little or no regulation. percent ever. Even then food Is as fire blight by employing the following It has been suggested that orchardists could high as it is because of the inOF INSURANCE measures: dispose of the prunings by chopping them up creases in labor wages, demands NOTICE MEETINGS and returning them to the soil as mulch. Outfor convenience foods, special 1. Patrol of the orchard often in order to packaging and other related factside of the disease factor, which we will discuss ors. An all out effort was disthem later, it appears that the fuel consumed by die detect new blight infections and remove cussed to enlighten the public. tractor or other motors required to operate promptly before extensive damage occurs. Of concern to everyone was the 2. Remove "off season" blossoms. this chopping equipment would produce as much subject of environment. The prob3. Practice orchard sanitation. All infected lem is not one of admitting that or more pollution than the open burning itself. as as soon be burned removed and wood should pollution exists in the land but We do not have figures on the amount of the verba ge in line with to be not used should beaters Brush keeping practicable. fuel that would be required to operate the has played a sigEmotion reality. wood into the orchard." The suggested, but using those that we are shred infected the subnificant in bringing part to familiar with, in the chopping of corn and taking woods should not- - are italicized by the author. the attention of the pubject lic. There has been little illation-shi- p into consideration die extra power that would be between damage done and required for chopping wood, it appears thatclose some of the suggested culprits. He further goes on to say that no sprays to 10 gallons of fuel would be required to chop There is also the fact that a level or chemicals have been found which are effective of tolerance a ton of the clippings. will be required in for controL Once inspection has occurred, the some or many areas in order to A machine that would cost $2,000.00 to maintain the standard of living only practical means of control is the prompt purchase would only handle the smaller clipthat infected everyone is accustomed. Napats. removal and burning of the pings and would not be adequate to handle ture left alone has areas of poOne other point which die proponents of larger prunings which would conceivably still erroslon and the like. the mulching disposal have not considered is die llution, have to be burned. The purchase of such equipSome have Inferred as much that ment even if used by several growers would be disposition of entire trees, both those which are without man such scenic extravadiseased, and those which have outiived this gances as the Grand Canyon would prohibitive, especially when the fact that .the never have erroded. Over grazusefulness. We doubt the ability of any availmachine could only be used one or two days ing when such is the case is not able equipment to chop up entire trees. in the year, is considered. the only factor that relates to such In light of the above facts wemusturge that The operation of this kind of equipment is problems. die committee leave the regulations as they are also extremely noisy. The whine of these maGrazing of public lands was disNot allowed with and the relative effect of fee cussed at by permit burning present, chines could well cause more complaints from the was carefully examined. increases of the fruit to do so could mean the destruction populaton as a whole, than that of the air polMarda Agee visiting the conferlution from die burning. industry in Utah. ence from Elko County Nevada told AIFilF fvleeff mul-che- rs . Women in |