AQMD's Organizational Structure

The South Coast AQMD is comprised of the following offices:

Governing Board
Executive Office
General Counsel
Science & Technology Advancement
Engineering & Compliance
Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources
Legislative & Public Affairs
Finance
Information Management
Administrative & Human Resources

Governing Board
The AQMD Governing Board is made up of thirteen officials who meet monthly to establish policy and approve or reject new or amended rules. The Governing Board appoints the Executive Officer, General Counsel, and members of the Hearing Board.

Executive Office (EO)
The Executive Office is responsible for the management of the AQMD and the development and implementation of strategies to attain ambient air quality standards. This office translates goals and objectives into programs and enforceable regulations that meet federal and state statutory requirements, while being sensitive to potential socioeconomic and environmental justice impacts in the South Coast Air Basin. The office consists of the Executive Officer, a Senior Policy Advisor, a Media Relations unit, and the Clerk of the Boards, plus support staff.

General Counsel
The AQMD's General Counsel oversees two groups:

• District Counsel
  The District Counsel is responsible for advising the AQMD Governing Board and staff on all legal matters except those related to enforcement of AQMD rules and state laws related to air pollution controls.

• District Prosecutor
  The District Prosecutor’s office is responsible for the enforcement and penalty issues of all AQMD rules and regulations and provides a full range of legal services to AQMD staff on matters relating to AQMD operations.

Science & Technology Advancement (S &TA)
The Science and Technology Advancement office is composed of the following units:

• Monitoring and Analysis (M&A)
  Monitoring and Analysis operates monitoring stations under National Air Monitoring Stations, State and Local Air Monitoring Stations and Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations programs.  They respond to local ambient monitoring requests, including meteorological and sampling services as part of the AQMD's emergency response program.
   
• Technology Advancement (TAO)
  The Technology Advancement Office cosponsors low- and zero-emission and clean fuel technology development and demonstration projects in a cooperation with private industry, technology developers, and local, state, and federal agencies.
   
• Mobile Sources
  The Mobile Source office participates in state and federal mobile source rulemaking, and oversees development of new AQMD mobile source rules.
   
• Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) Liaison & Support
  AB2766 created the MSRC, an independent agency, to make recommendations as to which projects and programs would be funded from motor vehicle registration fees received by the AQMD. S&TA provides staff and other support to facilitate its activities.

Engineering & Compliance (E & C)
Engineering & Compliance staff is comprised primarily of inspectors, engineers, and clerical support staff that are organized into industry –specific compliance, permitting and operations teams:

• Permitting
  The Permitting unit has primary responsibility for AQMD’s permit system, including issuance and administration of RECLAIM (the REgional CLean Air Incentives Market) Facility Permits, Permits to Construct and Permits to Operate equipment at non-RECLAIM facilities, and the Federal Title V Operating Permit Program.
   

• Compliance
  This unit ensures compliance with AQMD permit conditions, local air quality rules and regulations, and state and federal air quality mandates at permitted facilities. They also respond to all air quality complaints received from the public.
   

• Toxics
  This unit ensures consistent implementation of all toxics programs, including federal, state, and local toxics rules, regulations and mandates, as well as the Environmental Justice program. It also develops guidelines for monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting for Title III maximum achievable control technologies (MACT) standards.
   

• REgional CLean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM)
  AQMD’s RECLAIM program limits total mass emissions from each facility and requires annual facility emission reductions. Firms participating in RECLAIM have the flexibility to determine how to achieve their emission reductions.
   

• Economic Development and Business Retention
  This group establishes effective working relationships with the business community and provides a clear understanding of air quality requirements and options for compliance.

Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources (PRDAS)
The Office of Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources is responsible for the majority of the AQMD’s air quality planning functions, and developing proposals for new rules and amendments to existing rules. PRDAS also inventories area sources and conducts permitting and compliance activities related to area sources. Programs administered by this office include: Annual Emissions Reporting, AB 2588, Modeling Emissions, Modeling Inventory Development, Health Effects, PM10 Strategies, Air Quality Management Plans, Special Studies, Meteorology/Air Quality Evaluation, CEQA, Socioeconomic Analysis, VOC/NSR/Administrative Rulemaking, Toxics, Credit Trading and NOx, and Area Source Program Development and Implementation.

Legislative & Public Affairs (Leg & PAF)
The Office of Legislative & Public Affairs includes the Public Advisor, Legislative Affairs, Government Relations, Community Outreach, and Small Business Assistance units. The mission of Legislative & Public Affairs is to promote public participation in, and understanding of, air quality issues, legislation and policies. The Office provides information regarding AQMD regulatory, planning and legislative activities to the general public, businesses, local governments, ethnic communities, and environmental organizations.

Finance (FIN)
The Finance office performs all financial functions for the AQMD, including processing payroll, preparation and printing of budgets and work program, invoicing, revenue posting and depositing, payment of bills, financial reports, responding to customer questions, financial planning, cash management, treasury management, grant administration, general ledger maintenance, data maintenance of the Management Information System, administering audits mandated by state law, and administration of contracts and purchasing functions.

Information Management (IM)
The Information Management group is home to the AQMD’s Information Technology, Public Records, Network Services, Systems & Programming, Records Management, Library and Web site functions. An administration team provides for overall planning and coordination of the unit's activities.

Administrative & Human Resources (A & HR)
The A & HR unit is responsible for lease administration and management of AQMD facilities; automotive services;  subscription services. The unit also oversees managed services, including the child care center, cafeteria, security, landscape, and custodial services. Human Resources administers and interprets human resources-related laws, rules, and regulations for AQMD in managing and directing its work force.
 

For more details on the AQMD's Goals and Mission consult the current budget.