|
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.”
GOALS
I.
ENSURE EXPEDITIOUS
PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING CLEAN AIR STANDARDS AND PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH
A.
Develop a comprehensive program to achieve emission reductions by:
1)
implementing the 2003 revision to the Air Quality Management Plan
(AQMP) that seeks equitable and expeditious reduction of emissions from all
sources to meet clean air targets and protect public health,
2)
designing, adopting and implementing rules, programs, and policies to
expeditiously meet federal and California Clean Air Act requirements,
3)
protecting the economy of the AQMD by avoiding potential federal
sanctions,
4)
improving data and understanding of toxic emissions and reducing
emissions of toxic air contaminants to minimize localized and regional
impacts of air pollution by implementing the Year 2000 Air Toxics Control
Plan as amended in 2004, including the Year 2003 Cumulative Impacts
Reduction Strategy, and the MATES III study, and
5)
seeking legislative amendments to provide the necessary authority and
funding to implement measures in the 2003 AQMP.
B.
Ensure compliance through a program that includes:
1)
monitoring air pollutants in the ambient air,
2)
inventorying, monitoring and testing air pollutant emissions from
stationary sources,
3)
promptly processing permit applications and expeditiously issuing
enforceable stationary source permits,
4)
using community-based deployment of field personnel for:
a)
timely compliance determinations and prompt remediation of
non-compliance,
b)
consistent and fair field enforcement practice, including customer
service training for all field service personnel, and
c)
prompt resolution of community air quality complaints,
5)
implementing programs to educate the public and regulated sources on
air quality and regulatory compliance, and
6)
strategically using civil penalties to incentivize compliance and to
deter future violations.
C.
Work with the United States Congress, California Legislature, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, and other
federal and state agencies, to obtain a proportionate fair share of funding
for essential programs to reduce emissions.
D.
Work with U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air
Resources Board, and local government to encourage and support efforts to
reduce emissions from federal and state sources, such as ships, trains,
planes and other off road engines.
E.
Ensure the successful implementation of the California laws enacted
by 2003 Senate Bill 700 by working with the agriculture community in
developing emission reduction program for agricultural sources that are
feasible and cost-effective, and establishing procedures that provide a
smooth and equitable transition of such sources into permitting.
F.
Continue to embrace and involve all stakeholders as partners in
reducing air pollution by developing and implementing programs that are
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.
G.
Promote programs to reduce mobile source emissions by:
1)
reducing emissions from traditional diesel-powered vehicles,
2)
supporting the increased use of clean-fuel and other low-emission
vehicles and engines,
3)
assisting employers, local governments, including Clean Cities, and
the private sector in reducing mobile source emissions,
4)
incentivizing the purchase of less-polluting vehicles,
5)
seeking to obtain additional legal authority over mobile sources only
where necessary to reduce emission control burdens that will otherwise be
placed on stationary sources, and
6)
partnering with state and federal agencies in developing
engine/vehicle retrofit regulations.
H.
Facilitate development of new air quality-enhancing technology by:
1) encouraging
public/private partnerships to develop new and innovative technologies,
2)
reducing financial and technological barriers that limit the use of
clean fuels and technologies,
3)
supporting projects to reduce emissions from surface coatings and
solvents, and
4)
working with all stakeholders to accomplish advanced technology goals
such as use of hydrogen fuel, fuel cells, and review existing regulatory
requirements to minimize barriers to the development and commercialization
of new lower-emitting technologies.
II.
Ensure
equitable TREATMENT for all communities
A.
Continue to implement AQMD's Environmental Justice policies and
programs, and other initiatives directed at equitable treatment for all
communities through:
1)
individual endeavors and a series of town hall meetings throughout
AQMD’s four-county region,
2)
actively seeking to increase the public’s participation in, and
understanding of, policies under development, including increased
translation of materials into multiple languages,
3)
working with community groups to build partnerships on air quality
issues, and addressing community-level and resident concerns and issues,
4)
distributing incentive funding in a manner that emphasizes
communities most impacted by air pollution and low income communities, and
5)
continuing to implement other Board-adopted Environmental Justice
initiatives.
III.
OPERATE
EFFICIENTLY AND IN A MANNER SENSITIVE TO BUSINESSES
A.
Administer an efficient and cost-effective organization to
expeditiously clean the air while being sensitive to the economic needs of
the AQMD's businesses by seeking innovative partnerships and programs to
ensure compliance and minimize compliance costs.
B.
Develop a sound budget, reduce fee complexity, adjust fee schedules
as appropriate, and target agency resources to environmental and economic
priorities.
C.
Continue to streamline agency functions.
D.
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.
E.
Review the skills, management and deployment of current staff and
continue to seek ways to increase efficiency and productivity.
F.
Continue AQMD’s procurement processes to ensure that minority-,
woman-, and disabled veteran-owned enterprises are fairly represented in
accordance with existing law.
G.
Recognize and enhance the special contributions, skills and
creativity of the AQMD workforce.
/ / /
|
