|
MISSION STATEMENT
The South Coast AQMD believes all residents
have a right
to live and work in an environment of clean air
and
is committed to undertaking all necessary steps
to
protect public health from air pollution,
with sensitivity to the impacts of its actions
on the community and businesses.
G O A L S
I. Ensure expeditious progress toward clean air.
II.
Ensure equitable treatment for all communities.
III. Operate efficiently and in a manner sensitive to businesses.
O B J E C T I V E S
I. ENSURE EXPEDITIOUS PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING CLEAN AIR STANDARDS
(Return to Top)
Develop a comprehensive program to achieve emission reductions by:
- developing the 2003 revision to the Air Quality Management Plan that seeks
equitable and expeditious reduction of emissions from all sources to meet
clean air targets,
- designing, adopting and implementing rules, programs, and policies to
expeditiously meet federal and California Clean Air Act targets,
- complying with the Year 2000 SIP settlement,
- protecting the economy of the District by avoiding potential federal
sanctions,
- reducing emissions of toxic air contaminants to minimize localized and
regional impacts of air pollution, and
- implementing the Year 2000 Air Toxics Control Plan.
Ensure compliance through a program that includes:
- monitoring air pollutants in the ambient air,
- monitoring and testing air pollutant emissions from stationary sources,
- promptly processing permits and expeditiously issuing enforceable
stationary source permits,
- using community-based deployment of field personnel for timely
compliance determinations and prompt remediation of non-compliance,
- consistent and fair field enforcement practice,
- prompt resolution of community air quality complaints,
- implementing programs to educate the public and regulated sources on air
quality and regulatory compliance, and
- strategically using civil penalties to incentivize compliance and to
deter future violations.
Work with the United States Congress, California Legislature, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and California Air Resources Board to obtain a proportionate
fair share of funding for essential programs to reduce emissions. Continue to
embrace and involve all stakeholders as partners in reducing air pollution by
developing and implementing a program that is technologically advanced,
cost-effective, and sensitive to business, environmental and community
interests. Stakeholders include, but are not limited to, local and state
governments, small business owners/operators, other members of the regulated
community, environmental and community leaders, and all residents.
Promote programs to reduce mobile source emissions by:
- reducing emissions from traditional diesel-powered vehicles,
- supporting the increased use of clean-fuel and other low-emission
vehicles and engines,
- assisting employers, local governments, and the private sector in
reducing mobile source emissions, and
- incentivizing the purchase of less-polluting vehicles.
Facilitate development of new air quality-enhancing technology by:
- encouraging public/private partnerships to develop new and
innovative technologies,
- reducing financial and technological barriers that limit the use of
clean fuels and technologies,
- supporting projects to reduce emissions from surface coatings and
solvents, and
- working with all stakeholders to accomplish advanced technology
goals such as
- use of hydrogen fuel, fuel cells, and
- review of existing regulatory requirements to minimize barriers to
the development and commercialization of new lower-emitting
technologies.
II. ENSURE EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR ALL COMMUNITIES (Return
to Top)
Continue to implement AQMD's Environmental Justice policies and programs, and
other initiatives directed at equitable treatment for all communities through:
- individual endeavors and a series of Town Hall meetings throughout
AQMD’s four county region,
- actively seeking to increase the public’s participation in, and
understanding of, policies under development, including increased
translation of materials into multiple languages,
- working with community groups to build partnerships on air quality
issues,
- addressing community-level and individual resident concerns and
issues, and
- distributing incentive funding in a manner that emphasizes
communities most impacted by air pollution and low income communities.
III. OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND IN A MANNER SENSITIVE TO BUSINESSES
(Return to Top)
- Administer an efficient and cost-effective organization to
expeditiously clean the air by being sensitive to the economic needs
of the AQMD's businesses by seeking innovative partnerships and
programs to ensure compliance and minimize compliance costs.
- Develop a balanced budget, reduce fee complexity, adjust fee
schedules as appropriate, and target agency resources to
environmental and economic priorities. Continue to streamline
agency functions.
- Administer effective human resources and development programs
that ensure an open and fair recruitment and selection system and,
in accordance with existing law, continue AQMD's equal employment
opportunity efforts to ensure diverse applicant pools for open
positions.
- Review the skills, management and deployment of current staff
and continue to seek ways to increase efficiency and productivity.
- Continue the AQMD’s procurement processes to ensure that
minority-, woman-, and disabled veteran-owned enterprises are fairly
represented in accordance with existing law.
- Recognize and enhance the special contributions, skills and
creativity of the AQMD workforce.
|
