PROPOSAL:
Authorize Execution of Memorandum of Understanding Bbetween Member
Agencies of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and South
Coast Air Quality Management District
SYNOPSIS:
Since the early 1990s, local Coachella Valley jurisdictions and AQMD
have cooperated in implementing PM10 dust controls to ensure healthful
air. To ensure uniform dust control Valley-wide, the most recently
approved Coachella Valley PM10 State Implementation Plan called for dust
control responsibilities to be specified through a formal agreement. The
Coachella Valley Association of Governments has signed MOUs with its
member jurisdictions that specify responsibilities and commitments for all
agencies involved in Coachella Valley dust control. As a partner in
valley dust control efforts, the AQMD is a needed signatory to formally
establish compliance responsibilities as specified in the MOUs. This
action is to authorize the Executive Officer to enter into an MOU with the
Coachella Valley Association of Governments and its member agencies.
COMMITTEE:
Mobile Source Committee, May 26, 2006, Reviewed
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Executive Officer to enter into a Memorandum
of Understanding with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and
its Member Agencies outlining the dust control responsibilities of each
Participating Agency.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is the local
agency responsible for air quality assessment and improvement in the
Coachella Valley. The Coachella Valley is the desert portion of Riverside
County in the Salton Sea Air Basin. The Coachella Valley Association of
Governments (CVAG), local governments and the AQMD have a demonstrated
history of adopting and implementing PM10 dust controls to ensure healthful
air for local residents and tourists. Despite these efforts, the region was
not able to demonstrate attainment of the annual average PM10 National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by December 31, 2001. Under the
federal Clean Air Act (CAA), an area can request an extension of up to five
years to attain the PM10 NAAQS, if certain requirements are met. In
response, AQMD, CVAG, and local stakeholders prepared, and the Governing
Board adopted, the Coachella Valley PM10 State Implementation Plan (2002
CVSIP) on June 21, 2002. Elements of the 2002 CVSIP that have already been
adopted, and forwarded to the U.S. EPA as a SIP amendment, include an
enhanced dust control ordinance adopted by all local jurisdictions and
amendments to existing AQMD rules. The 2002 CVSIP also called for
enforcement guidelines to be adopted such as through a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with either CVAG or each of the ten local jurisdictions
to specify responsibilities and commitments associated with the enhanced
dust control ordinance provisions.
Proposal
The 2002 CVSIP attainment plan builds upon a historically proactive and
successful dust control program by Coachella Valley jurisdictions and the
AQMD. In accordance with 2002 CVSIP provisions, an MOU has been developed
outlining responsibilities for all agencies involved in Coachella Valley
dust control (see Attachment A for an unsigned copy of the MOU). Key MOU
provisions include:
- local government approval of dust control plans prepared
pursuant to the enhanced dust control ordinances and the Coachella Valley
dust control handbook;
- establishment of local government staff for compliance
activities;
- AQMD approval of dust control plans for activities not
subject to local jurisdiction control;
- AQMD-provided training classes to stakeholders; and
- Continued AQMD compliance activities.
Through the diligent actions of CVAG staff, copies of the MOU have been
signed by the County of Riverside, the Cities of Coachella, Cathedral City,
Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm
Springs, and Rancho Mirage, and CVAG. As a partner in the Valley dust
control efforts, the AQMD is a needed signatory to formally establish
compliance responsibilities as specified in the MOUs. After AQMD action,
each jurisdiction will receive a fully executed MOU.
Resource Impacts
No additional AQMD resources are required to implement the on-going
Coachella Valley dust control efforts. Signing of the MOU simply formalizes
the agreement for dust control activities that are currently ongoing.
Attachment
(PDF 41.8 KB)
Model Memorandum of Understanding Establishing an Ongoing,
Multi-Jurisdictional Relationship for the Adoption, Implementation, and
Enforcement of Fugitive Dust Control Measures in the Coachella Valley.
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