CFE 090803 - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 Booth said that if we want to be considered inside or outside an MSA , or whole county , we would have to examine air quality in the adjacent area , population density , monitoring data , locating of large emission sources , traffic and commuting patterns , expected growth , geography/topography , jurisdictional boundaries , current levels of emissions control , and expected regional emission reductions . She said that the population density , the daily vehicle miles traveled , and the commuter flow patterns of an area are all taken into consideration . Boothe said that because the State of NC has opted to consider more stringent than what the federal regulations , an Inspection and Maintenance program ( I & M ) has been initiated in 48 counties as a phase in program . The existing counties that had I & M went to the new NOX I & M last year . This year will begin the second phase . A lot of advertising about this program will begin July 1st . Every six months another group of counties will be phased in . Boothe said that the current ozone forecasting in six areas is making people more aware of the ozone problem . She said the modeling encompasses the entire eastern half of the United States from Washington DC to Atlanta . Modeling shows how accurate the predictions were and predict future problems to develop control strategies . Boothe described some of the information out for public comment . Boothe said there are economic effects of being designated non - attainment . Although they have to include areas where monitors are located , NCDAQ recommends not including whole counties when they are predominately rural . Whisnant asked if any information was available that shows the level of ozone in rural counties . Boothe said no , but noted that in some cases the violations are transports from areas such as the Triangle or Triad . When we know that the county is not responsible for the pollution DAQ recommends partial designations , but EPA has the final decision . Booth said the public comment period ended May 31 . DAQ will meet with DOT and Dept of Agriculture ; then send draft recommendation to Governor Easely . Things waiting to happen were identified as : • MSA boundaries based upon the 2000 census ( possibly by June 30 , 2003 ) • if MSA boundaries change , NC has the option to incorporate the changes in final submittal to EPA ( February 2004 ) • Non - attainment designation ( after summer 2003 ) Boothe identified the following NC efforts to solve the problem : • Participation in Southern Appalachian Mountain Initiative , which looked at secondary effects on plants and stream life • Adopted Clean Air Bill of 1999 , which started the I & M program for vehicles . • Adopted the NOX Rule , which addresses power plants , large boilers and put a cap on summertime emissions of NOX from those facilities . • Adopted the Clean Smoke Stacks Act and are trying to encourage our neighboring states to do something similar . • Participation in a southeastern regional haze planning organization . Page 6 of 8 DRAFT