balancing earth, air, and fire in the kansas flint hills
DESCRIPTION
For more: http://www.extension.org/67588 Native Americans placed great value on the four elements of life, earth, water, air and fire. They recognized, as we do today, that fire is the most powerful land management tool. The 4.8 million acre Flint Hills region of Kansas is the largest remaining expanse of tallgrass prairie in North America. Prescribed fire is routinely practiced in the region to enhance livestock forage quality, control invasive species, provide grassland wildlife habitat and improve plant vigor. But where there is fire, there is smoke, and there are public health concerns when excessive smoke is in the atmosphere. Ground level ozone can have serious public health consequences and major cities adjacent to the Flint Hills, have recorded excessive ozone levels resulting from Flint Hills prescribed fire. A collaborative effort including the Kansas Dept of Health & Environment, EPA, K-State Research & Extension, Kansas Livestock Association and other groups completed the Flint Hills smoke management plan in December, 2010, with the objective of reducing health concerns from prescribed fire, while retaining it as a land management tool. The plan established a website of "best smoke management practices" and a comprehensive education and outreach effort for land managers was implemented, involving prescribed fire schools, news articles and radio airplay. Results of the plan are positive, indicating that Kansas has responded to the smoke issue appropriately and will retain prescribed fire as a management practice that maintains both the tallgrass prairie of the hills, and the air quality of adjacent metro areas. The inter-relationships of earth, water, air and fire are continual, each impacting the other. The Kansas Flint Hills now has a plan to ensure harmony of these essential elements of life.TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Balancing: Earth Air and
FIRE in the Kansas Flint Hills
Jeff DavidsonKansas State Univ.Watershed [email protected]
![Page 2: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
![Page 3: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
![Page 4: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
![Page 5: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
![Page 6: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
![Page 7: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
![Page 8: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Tallgrass Prairie is Fire-Derived – Fire Maintained
![Page 9: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Rx Fire is practicedIn the Spring – April Just as the 1st green begins to show
![Page 10: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
![Page 11: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
![Page 12: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
4.8 Million acres in Flint Hills
About 35% Burns Annually
![Page 13: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Prescribed Burning Improves:
Livestock performance
Grazing distribution
Control of brush species
![Page 14: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
10 to 15 % Higher Gain on Cattle grazing Burned Pastures
![Page 15: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Burning Issues of Today
SMOKE & Air Quality
![Page 16: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
![Page 17: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
![Page 18: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
![Page 19: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Health Effects of Ozone
• Irritation of the respiratory system
• Aggravation of asthma and allergies
• Permanent lung damage after repeated exposure
• Children, elderly, and people with existing health conditions affected more
![Page 20: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Ozone Standard History
• 1971 - EPA set 1-hour standard at 0.120 ppm
• 1997 - EPA set 8-hour standard at 0.085 ppm
• 2008 - EPA lowered 8-hour standard– Primary standard set at 0.075 ppm– Secondary standard same as primary
• 2009 – New standard withdrawn
![Page 21: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Kansas Flint Hills
Smoke Management Plan
![Page 22: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
ksfire.org
![Page 23: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Maximum Contribution Potential within 48 hours
Small Contribution Medium Contribution Large Contribution Data Unavailable Metropolitan Area Monitor
![Page 24: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Fire --the most powerful land management tool
![Page 25: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Summary Thoughts
EPA, KDHE, cities all willing to work with Agto find solutions. By working together, regulation can be avoided.
![Page 26: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Summary Thoughts
► Need to avoid urban vs. rural debate
► Recognize benefits of both strong urban industrial sector and a strong agriculture
![Page 27: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Summary Thoughts
• Ecological benefits of burning are extremely important to maintain and preserve the Flint Hills.
![Page 28: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
![Page 29: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Jeff DavidsonKansas State UniversityEureka, Kansas [email protected]
![Page 30: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
![Page 31: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
![Page 32: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
![Page 33: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Summary Thoughts
• EPA willing to work with the ag industry to find solutions to smoke issue rather than force regulations.
• EPA, KDHE, major cities all willing to work with ag to find solutions.
![Page 34: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Summary Thoughts
• Need to avoid urban versus rural debate.
• We recognize the benefits of a strong urban industrial sector and a strong agriculture in Kansas
![Page 35: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
![Page 36: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Fire dependent ecosystems
Long leaf pine grasslandsSerpentine barrensPonderosa Pine standsTALLGRASS PRAIRIESChaparralOak savannahsMixed pine of Sierra Nevadas
![Page 37: Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022070301/54625b51b4af9f531c8b4741/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)