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Critical Issues with Maricopa County Air Programs. MAG Regional Council September 28, 2005. The Big Picture. Air Quality Department Created November 2004. Air Quality Department Accomplishments. Organization structure developed Hired key staff Public outreach programs
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Critical Issues with Maricopa County Air Programs MAG Regional Council September 28, 2005
The Big Picture Air Quality Department Created November 2004
Air Quality Department Accomplishments • Organization structure developed • Hired key staff • Public outreach programs • Planning and Analysis Division • Permitting Division • Compliance for facility inspections on track November 2004 – August 2005
Air Quality Department Accomplishments • Air quality monitoring • Travel Reduction and Voluntary Vehicle Repair and Retrofit Programs • County Counsel and Air Quality Department Partnership • Enforcement settlements and penalties
Critical Issue #1 • EPA issued a Notice of Deficiency for the Maricopa County Title V Air Permit Program for Industry • Could jeopardize the MAG Transportation Improvement Program
Maricopa County Title V Air Permit Program Progress • Formal response to EPA on corrective action to fix all deficiencies filed by August 18, 2005 deadline • EPA reports that significant progress has been made • Threat of sanctions, including loss of federal highway funds, is no longer looming • It appears that this issue may be set aside
Critical Issue #2 • EPA requested Maricopa County to hire 25-30 dust inspectors to enforce the Fugitive Dust Control Rules (June 2004) • Failure to enforce dust rules could jeopardize attainment and lead to a requirement for 5% reduction in emissions per year
Maricopa County Dust Control Rules • At Risk • Attainment of the PM-10 standards – Need clean data for 2004, 2005 & 2006 • 5 Percent Plan due Dec. 31, 2007 if standards are not met • 2004 – 1 monitor exceeded the 24-hr standard and 2 exceeded the annual standard • 2005 – 2 monitors exceeded the 24-hr standard
Maricopa County Dust Control Program Efforts • Converted temporary positions to permanent • Advertised for vacant positions • Compiled a list of qualified candidates • Cross – trained other positions to conduct dust inspections • Conducted training courses for regulated community • Enforcement settlements
For More Information Contact: Lindy Bauer, MAG Phone: (602) 254-6300 www.mag.maricopa.gov