Filing a Report
Persons wishing to report an air quality incident/violation may:
- Send the information via electronic mail to complaints@yrcaa.org;
- Submit the information using the on-line complaint form below;
- Call the agency at 509-834-2050 option 4 (when calling after business hours or on a weekend, leave a recorded message); or
- Visit the agency office Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Note: Complaints filed with other agencies (e.g. Yakima Health District, Wash. Dept. of Ecology [ERTS]) are not received, processed, or investigated by the YRCAA.
Information Requirements
Complaint reports should include the following details:
- The first and last name of the person filing the complaint (the complainant);
- One or more of the following: The address, phone number, and/or e-mail address of the complainant;
- The date and time the alleged incident/violation was discovered or its effect experienced;
- The location (at minimum, the address or parcel number) where the alleged incident/violation was discovered or its effect experienced (be as specific as possible);
- The date and time the alleged incident/violation occurred (if known and different from the time it was discovered or its effect experienced);
- The location (at minimum, the address or parcel number) where the alleged incident/violation occurred (if known and different from the location where it was discovered or its effect experienced);
- The type of incident/violation (e.g. illegal burning, fugitive dust, excessive odor, hazardous emissions, etc.);
- A specific description of the violation (include only pertinent, factual information);
- The name of the party believed to be responsible for the incident/violation (if known);
- One or more of the following (if known): The address, phone number, and/or e-mail address of the party believed to be responsible; and
- The duration of the incident/violation or effect experienced and, if it has occurred previously, its frequency.
If you need assistance locating an address or parcel number, try using the Yakima County GIS--otherwise known as Yakimap. Reports received are reviewed by compliance staff for possible investigation. Inaccurate and/or incomplete reports are less likely to be investigated or result in enforcement action.. See "Limitations" below.
Confidentiality
Complaint information is subject to disclosure pursuant to the Public Records Act as set forth in Chapter 42.56 Revised Code of Washington (RCW). However, the Agency may withhold the identity of persons "who file complaints with investigative, law enforcement, or penology agencies...if disclosure would endanger any person's life, physical safety, or property" or "at the time a complaint is filed the complainant...indicates a desire for...nondisclosure" pursuant to RCW 42.56.240(2). If you prefer your identity not be disclosed, you must state, "I request nondisclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56.240(2)" in your complaint.
Limitations
- Limited Agency resources prevent the investigation of complaints from persons having repeatedly filed complaints for non-existent violations.
- The Agency does not investigate complaints resulting from neighbor-vs-neighbor conflicts or disputes.
- Complaints must be filed with the YRCAA using the process, and in accordance with the requirements, set forth above.
- Incidents must be significant in impact/effect (how bad it is), duration (how long it lasts), and/or frequency (how often it occurs).
- Complaints without information sufficient to allow for investigation are not processed.
- The complainant must be impacted by the incident/violation (complaints made on behalf of a third party are not processed).
- Noise complaints are handled by applicable county (in unincorporated areas) or city code enforcement.
- Incidents/violations occurring within the boundary of the Yakama Nation Reservation are handled by the EPA or tribal staff.
- Violations of county fire safety burn bans are handled by the county Fire Marshal.
- Incidents involving industrial indoor air quality are handled by the Washington Dept. of Labor and Industries.
- Incidents involving commercial indoor air quality are handled by the Yakima Health District.
- Violations involving emissions from on-road trucks and other vehicles are handled by the Washington State Dept. of Transportation.
Ecology ERTS
The Washington Department of Ecology Environmental Report Tracking System (ERTS) is a system used internally by the Department to collect reports of pollution in areas for which it is the regulating authority including those counties where there is no local air pollution control authority. The YRCAA was not involved in the development of ERTS, is not allowed to use it, and does not have full access to the information it contains. As a result, the YRCAA does not process air quality complaints filed using ERTS. Complaints concerning air quality in Yakima County (outside the Yakama Nation reservation) should be filed using the process, and in accordance with the requirements, set forth above.
