A burning ban for unincorporated Johnson County was issued Thursday, August 4, by the Johnson County Board of Commissioners after consultation with the county fire inspector and rural fire district chiefs.

The burning ban becomes effective immediately and will remain in effect until it is rescinded by the Board.

Dry weather and high winds have combined to produce conditions that make open burning in the unincorporated area a threat to public health and safety. Until further notice:

• Burning of any material is prohibited, except in a contained space with a spark-arresting device;
• Property owners must prohibit burning on their land, except in a contained space with a spark-arresting device;
• All previously issued burning permits for the unincorporated area are suspended; and
• No new burning permits will be issued.

Violations of the ban can be punished by a fine of up to $500 and a jail sentence of up to thirty (30) days.

The National Academy of Sciences has released its final report in its “America’s Climate Choice” series. It is quite a powerful report.  More information is below:

National Academy of Sciences Releases Report Stressing Need for Immediate Action to Reduce GHGs and to Prepare and Adapt for the Impact of Climate Change
May 12, 2011
NAS Climate Change Choices 2011

The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences released a climate change report warning that the risk of dangerous climate change impacts is growing with every ton of GHG emitted into the atmosphere. The report is the final one in a series of reports requested by Congress, entitled “America’s Climate Choices.” The new report confirms that the preponderance of scientific evidence points to human-caused emissions of GHGs as the most likely cause for climate change, as the trend cannot be explained by natural factors. Substantial reductions of GHG emissions should be “among the highest priorities in the national response,” said the scientists who wrote the report. While state and local actions to reduce GHG emissions are potentially quite significant, according to the report, they are not likely to yield as much reductions as a coordinated national response would. The report says the most efficient way to accelerate emissions reductions is through a nationally uniform price on GHG emissions with a price trajectory sufficient to spur investments in energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies.; The authors also deemed the risks of sticking to "business as usual" to be a much greater concern than the risks associated with a strong response. Finally, while aggressive efforts to cut GHG emissions will help mitigate the impacts of climate change, they will not be sufficient to avert global warming, so the U.S. needs to mobilize now to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts.

KDHE will be awarding more than $250,000 to Kansas diesel fleet owners, and is now accepting applications. The new competition is open for the owners or operators to apply for financial assistance to improve their diesel equipment and reduce the amount of emissions given off by diesel fuel use.

Schools, construction and trucking companies, municipalities and other organizations can enter the competition for funds. Several types of projects are available that will allow engines to burn cleaner and reduce idling time.

This grant round is the latest of a series of awards that the EPA has provided to Kansas to help equipment owners improve their diesel engines. Some past grant winners include school districts, trucking companies and construction equipment owners. Organizations that can contribute matching funds and those located in high population density areas are scored higher during the selection process for award winners.

Future grant rounds from KDHE will be announced as the money becomes available. For information about the grants and how to apply, go to the KDHE Bureau of Environment website http://www.kdheks.gov/bar/air-monitor/dieselgrant.html, or contact Joyce Barrett at jbarrett@kdheks.gov. The deadline for submitting an application for this grant is August 15, 2011.

Green Commute Challenge
July 5 - August 26
This metro-wide contest encourages commuters to drive less during ozone season — when ozone pollution can be a problem in the Kansas City region — by providing points and prizes for carpooling, riding the bus, bicycling, walking and telecommuting. Click on the link here to register and start winning!