BOARD MEETING DATE: November 5, 2010
AGENDA NO. 35

PROPOSAL:

2010 Clean Communities Plan

SYNOPSIS:

The 2010 Clean Communities Plan builds from existing traditional toxic regulatory approaches and includes 23 measures designed to address cumulative air toxics exposure in communities and neighborhoods throughout the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The 2010 Clean Communities Plan includes measures to address reductions of air toxics and air related nuisance issues at the community level. Increased community participation, communication and outreach, agency coordination, enhanced monitoring and compliance programs as well as traditional source-specific measures.

COMMITTEE:

Stationary Source, September 19, 2008, April 16, 2010, and September 24, 2010, Reviewed. 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve the 2010 Clean Communities Plan as a planning document for possible future actions. 
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The 2010 Clean Communities Plan is a planning document that outlines the overall control strategy for the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (AQMD’s) air toxics control program. The Clean Communities Plan is an update to the Air Toxics Control Plan (ATCP) developed in 2000 and the subsequent Addendum in 2004.

Over the past two decades, the AQMD’s toxics regulatory program has focused on individual source categories that emit a specific toxic air contaminant. Although significant progress has been made to reduce air toxic emissions from individual sources there are communities throughout the district that are impacted by multiple toxic emitting sources that surround these communities. The combined or cumulative effect of multiple toxic emitting sources on these communities can be substantial. The 2010 Clean Communities Plan continues to build on the district’s source-specific air toxics program while addressing cumulative air quality impacts. 

Clean Communities Plan

The objective of the 2010 Clean Communities Plan is to reduce the exposure to air toxics and air-related nuisances throughout the district, with emphasis on cumulative impacts. The Clean Communities Plan includes 23 measures in seven groups that utilize a variety of different implementation approaches such as community participation, increased outreach and communication, additional agency coordination, and enhanced monitoring and compliance programs. Many of these approaches will require the participation from all sectors such as community representatives, agencies, elected officials, and businesses. In addition, many of the measures work together. Figure 1 shows the overall structure and lists the measures in the Clean Communities Plan.

Figure 1

Clean Communities Plan Structure and Measures

The centerpiece of the Clean Communities Plan is the Community Exposure Reduction Measures which includes a pilot study for two communities to develop Community Exposure Reduction Plans and development of a template so other communities can develop a Community Exposure Reduction Plan. Implementation of Community Exposure Reduction Measures relies on many of the other measures in the 2010 Clean Communities Plan reach the goal of creating “clean communities.”

Public Process

A Working Group was formed in order to ensure that public input and comments were considered in the early development of the Clean Communities Plan. Members included representatives from communities, environmentalists, industry, the AQMD, and other government agencies. The CCP Working Group met throughout the process of developing and reviewing the plan. In addition to Working Group meetings, many other briefings and meetings were held during development of the CCP. The AQMD staff briefed the Stationary Source Committee three times, the Environmental Justice Advisory Group three times, and the Local Government and Small Business Assistance Advisory Group twice. Outside meetings included presentations to the California Supply Chain Jobs Alliance, Los Angeles County Chamber of Commerce, a San Bernardino Town Hall Meeting, and several meetings attended by staff from the AQMD Legislative and Public Affairs office.

The Draft 2010 Clean Communities Plan was released for public review and comment at the April 2, 2010 Board meeting. The draft document was revised based comments from the Working Group and the public and presented in a Public Workshop on September 28, 2010. Comments received after the Public Workshop have been addressed in the final version of the 2010 CCP.

Legal Mandates

The Clean Communities Plan is a planning document for air toxics and it is not required by state or federal law. The Clean Communities Plan will not be submitted as part of the State Implementation Plan and it will not be a legally binding document. Development and implementation of specific measures may require partnership with other agencies, the regulated community, environmental groups, and the public. If rules are developed, each rule will go through the appropriate public review, socioeconomic assessment, and CEQA process. Applicable documents will be prepared at the time individual measures are developed. On this basis, the plan is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements. A copy of the Notice of Exemption is attached to this Board letter.

Recommendation

The AQMD staff recommends that the 2010 Clean Communities Plan be approved as a planning document for possible future actions. 

Attachments (ZIP, 8163k)

A. Resolution

B. 2010 Clean Communities Plan

C. Notice of Exemption