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Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) for Luna County

Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) for Luna County. Michael Baca Environmental Analyst Air Quality Bureau. Protecting our Environment, Preserving the Enchantment. PRESENTATION. History/Development NEAP Local Ordinances. Why is Wind Blown Dust a Concern in Luna County?. RECENTLY

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Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) for Luna County

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  1. Natural Events Action Plan (NEAP) for Luna County Michael Baca Environmental Analyst Air Quality Bureau Protecting our Environment, Preserving the Enchantment

  2. PRESENTATION • History/Development • NEAP • Local Ordinances

  3. Why is Wind Blown Dust a Concern in Luna County? • RECENTLY • The region has not met the federal standards for particulate matter of 10 microns or less (PM10) • DUST STORMS • High winds cause unhealthful levels of PM10 (dust) in ambient air

  4. Air Quality in Deming & Luna County • MOSTLY • Air Quality in Deming & Luna County is Very Good and Considered CLEAN • EXCEPT • High Wind Days, DUST Levels May Exceed Health Standards

  5. HISTORY • NONATTAINMENT • Tradition pollution control • Designation to non-attainment list • Permitting requirements for new sources • County wide emission inventory of all sources • Transportation & general conformity • Programs are costly

  6. HISTORY • NONATTAINMENT • NEGATIVELY VIEWED BY INDUSTRY AND RETIREES LOOKING AT LOCATING IN AREA • DIFFICULT TO BE RE-DESIGNATED • INEFFECTIVE FOR DUST CAUSED BY HIGH WINDS

  7. HISTORY • PM10 NAAQS EXCEDENCES SINCE 2003 • EPA NATURAL EVENTS POLICY • EPA Memo May 30, 1996 • Natural High Wind Events • Best Available Control Measures (BACM)/Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM) • CREATION OF LUNA NEAP • Nonattainment vs. NEAP • Primary Stakeholders-Citizens, Local Businesses & Govt. • Secondary Stakeholders-Federal and State Agencies

  8. Luna County NEAP • PURPOSE • Protect Public Health and Welfare • KEY ELEMENTS • Analysis & Documentation • Public Notification & Education • Minimize Public Exposure • Abatement & Mitigation • Periodic Review-Every Five Years

  9. ANALYSIS & DOCUMENTATION • CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP • Measured Exceedance & High Wind Event • MONITORING • PM10 Monitor • Weather Data • Reporting (EPA) • PUBLIC ACCESS/REVIEW

  10. PUBLIC EDUCATION & NOTIFICATION • HEALTH EFFECTS • Short & Long Term • Susceptible Populations • NATURAL EVENTS • Affect Air Quality • Imminent • ACTIONS • Minimize Health Impacts • Brochures, Fact Sheets, NEAP Briefing Document, etc • Open Houses/Formal Presentations

  11. MINIMIZE PUBLIC EXPOSURE • PUBLIC EDUCATION • Common Sense Approach • Windy Season-Late Winter & Early Spring • Susceptible Populations & Precautionary Measures • Air Quality Index (AQI) & Perception of Dustiness • Press Releases & PSAs • Internet: air.nmenv.state.nm.us

  12. ABATEMENT & MITIGATION • COMMON SOURCES/ACTIVITIES • Natural • Undisturbed Desert (Highest Winds) • Anthropogenic (Man-Made) • Construction Sites • Vacant Lots/Recreational Areas • Unpaved Roads, Playgrounds, Parking & Equipment Lots • Military Training Exercises • BACM • Revegetation and Organic Mulches • Erosion Control Mats & Geotextiles • Suppressants and Stabilizers • Smart Timing-Planning

  13. ABATEMENT & MITIGATION • LOCAL ORDINANCES • Stakeholders and Governments • Best Equipped for Development & Implementation of Solutions • Deming Ordinance No. 1144 • Luna County Ordinance No. 37 • Protect and Maintain Natural Environment & Reduce Negative Health Effects • STAKEHOLDER AGREEMENTS • NMDOT • State Land Office • BLM • NRCS • Others

  14. PERIODIC REVIEW-2009 • ADEQUACY • Overview of Ordinances and Agreements • CONCLUSIONS • Successful First Stage? • Continued Enforcement Essential • FUTURE PLANS • Improved Public Outreach & Education (Pro-active) • State Wide Regulations • Improved Emissions Inventories

  15. LOCAL ORDINANCES • Purpose and Intent • Protect & Maintain Natural Environment • Reduce Health Effects • Prevent/Limit Man-made Dust • Limit Sources • Natural Events Will Happen

  16. LOCAL ORDINANCES • APPLICABILITY • Any: Activity, Equipment, Operation &/or Practice Man-made/caused Capable of Generating Fugitive Dust • EXEMPTIONS • Agriculture: Regular Cultivating, Tilling, Harvesting, Growing, etc. Excluding Unpaved Roads Used for Operations • Government Activity During Emergencies • Essential Utility Services-Outages and Emergencies (Electricity, Gas, H2O, Sewer, etc.) • Temporary Use of Unpaved Roads (<20 trips/day for 3 successive days)

  17. LOCAL ORDINANCES • CONTROL PLAN SUBMITTAL • Name(s), Address(es), and Phone #(s) of Person(s) Responsible for Plan • Plot Plan or Plat Including: Area of Surface to be Disturbed & Total Area • Operations & Activities • Actual & Potential Sources • Delivery, Transport, & Storage Areas-Type of Material & Quantity • RACM(s)-Every Source On-site • Track Out & Sedimentation Control • Contingency Measures

  18. LOCAL ORDINANCES • STANDARDS-GENERAL & NON-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES • Ground Cover Removal Prohibited • Vacant Land-Weed Eradication & Dust Suppression • Materials-Storage & Transport • Parking Time Delay Agreements • Unpaved Parking Lots and Roadways • Existing Operations

  19. LOCAL ORDINANCES • REASONABLY AVAILABLE CONTROL MEASURES (RACM’S) • Utilize Existing, Pre-development Grades • Watering: Regular & Minimum Basis Daily • Palliatives or Chemical Soil Suppressant/Stabilizer • Snow &/or Wind Fences • Re-seeding or Re-vegetation • Grading (Streets & Utilities)-Part of Subdivision Construction Only • Interior and Perimeter Walls as Part of Overall Subdivision Construction

  20. LOCAL ORDINANCES • REASONABLY AVAILABLE CONTROL MEASURES (RACM’S) • Grade Pad Site, Pond, Driveway, etc. Only Plus Five Feet • Retain Natural Vegetation • Utilize Existing or Natural Vegetation for Required Landscape-Limit Grading, Promote H2O Conservation, & Reduce Dust • Non-natural Landscaping or Vegetation-Installed in Latter Phase of Construction • Any Other Methods Approved by Proper Authority • Using Combination of RACM’s

  21. FOR MORE INFORMATION Michael Baca Environmental Analyst NMED Air Quality Bureau (575) 524-6300 michael.baca1@state.nm.us OR www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb

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