NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT
150 Matheson Street
Healdsburg CA 95448
Telephone (707) 433-5911

March 3, 2003

Palomino Lakes Property Owners Association
P.O.Box 687
Cloverdale, CA 95425

The Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District has recently received complaints from residents of the Palomino Lakes Community regarding open' burning practices in this area. Specifically, concerns have 'been raised as to the type of material being burned and the hours during which burning has been conducted.

This letter is intended to convey information on proper burning procedures for residents of the Palomino Lakes Community. We would appreciate very much if your Association newsletter would provide this information to your members.

Under the rules and regulations of the District, 'open burning may be used to dispose of approved combustibles (vegetative matter), on a permissive burn day, within designated burning hours and while in possession of a valid burn permit. Possession of a valid air quality burn permit is required at all times. Burn permit applications are available at this time of year from the Cloverdale Fire Department or at the offices of the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District located in Healdsburg at 1S0 Matheson Street.

The Districts policy is to strictly enforce violations of its rules and regulations up to and including civil or criminal prosecution as allowed by the California Health and Safety Code. Maximum penalties are $1,000 per violation and a maximum of 6 month imprisonment. Though such extremes are not typical. fines for open burn violations can easily be as high as several hundred dollars.

I urge your members to obtain the necessary burn permits if they do not already have one. Feel free to call me at 433-5911 with any questions you might have.

Sincerely,
George Erdman Air Quality Specialist III