Enhanced Smoke Management Programs (ESMP)

Enhanced Smoke Management Programs (ESMPs) specifically address visibility impacts in class I Areas from smoke from wildland fire. ESMP are required under section 309 of the Regional Haze Rule.

ESMPs must address the nine components listed below to comply with the Regional Haze Rule:

  1. Actions to minimize emissions from fires
  2. Evaluation of smoke dispersion
  3. Fuel reduction options that do not involve fire
  4. Public notification of burning
  5. Air quality monitoring
  6. Surveillance of smoke management and enforcement of air quality policies
  7. Annual Evaluation of the current smoke management program
  8. Burn authorization based on a decision making process
  9. Regional Coordination

In addition to these nine elements, an ESMP must include a statewide inventory and emissions tracking system, both spatial and temporal, for VOC, NOX, elemental and organic carbon, and fine particle emissions. An ESMP has to also establish an annual emission goal for fire, excluding wildfire.

Sources: US Federal Register. 1999. Part II Environmental Protection Agency. 40 CFR Part 51 Regional Haze Regulations; Final Rule. Accessed on 9 September 2013. Available at http://www.epa.gov

The Enhanced smoke Management Program task team of the Fire Emissions Joint Forum.2002. Western Regional Air Partnership Policy on Enhanced Smoke Management Programs for Visibility. Accessed 11 September 2013. Available at http://www.frames.gov

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