Wednesday, November 04, 2015

Susan Craig, District Manager, California Coastal Commission: ‘Based on our review and consultation with Air District staff, we continue to believe that the data does not support a conclusion that there is an LCP-defined air quality emergency associated with smoke and PM emissions emanating from wood fires on Carmel Beach, or that there is a need for an emergency ban of all such beach fires at this time’

ABSTRACT: In a letter to Mayor Jason Burnett and City Council Members from Susan Craig, District Manager, California Coastal Commission, Central Coast District Office, dated November 3, 2015, Subject: Carmel Beach Fire Management Plan, the letter states, in part: “As promised at our October 9, 2015 meeting, Coastal Commission staff, including Commission staff Ecologist Dr. Laurie Koteen, revisited the particulate matter (PM) data gathered at the 13th Avenue station, and consulted with Richard Stedman of the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District regarding interpretation of that data. Based on our review and consultation with Air District staff, we continue to believe that the data does not support a conclusion that there is an LCP-defined air quality emergency associated with smoke and PM emissions emanating from wood fires on Carmel Beach, or that there is a need for an emergency ban of all such beach fires at this time. It is clear from the data that there have been spikes in the PM counts on busy weekend and holiday periods, during which times the air quality at the 13th Avenue monitoring station was not considered "good."1 Other than these spikes, the data overwhelmingly suggests that air quality at the 13th Avenue station was rated as "good" more than 98% of the time. The City's emergency prohibition, however, prohibits beach fires on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, when the data does not support such a prohibition." And “Additionally, we strongly recommend, as we have recommended to City staff all along, that the City Council not adopt any instruments that have the effect of pre-determining an outcome that bans all wood fires. Rather, we would hope that the City would let the current process play out and implement the approved Beach Fire Management Program and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing the air quality spikes (including allowing for adaptation if problems are not appropriately addressed), and that the City would continue to recognize and provide for the public recreational values associated with the very long history of beach fires at Carmel Beach in a manner that balances and addresses identified issues.” The letter document copy is embedded.

Note: RE: First reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of Carmel-by-the-Sea declaring beach fires a public nuisance At the city council meeting yesterday, November 3, 2015, the City Council voted to declare Carmel Beach fires a “public nuisance” by a vote of 3-2, with Council Members Steve Dallas and Carrie Theis dissenting.
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
CENTRAL COAST DISTRICT OFFICE
Susan Craig District Manager California Coastal Commission Central Coast District Office
Mayor Jason Burnett and City Council Members
Subject: Carmel Beach Fire Management Plan
November 3, 2105

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