Recognize and Appropriate Funds from the EPA for Three Air Monitoring Projects


BOARD MEETING DATE: July 12, 1996
AGENDA NO. 10

PROPOSAL:

SYNOPSIS:

COMMITTEE:

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

James M. Lents, Ph.D.

Executive Officer

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Background

In February 1993, the United States EPA promulgated the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) regulations for areas classified as serious, severe or extreme non-attainment. Those regulations required AQMD to conduct monitoring for ozone precursors, in this area adding monitoring equipment at a rate of one site per year, up to a total of seven sites by 1998. EPA has allocated Section 105 and supplemental grant funds to AQMD for this purpose. EPA funding has increased annually to pay for start-up and operational costs.

There is $75,000 available in EPA grant funds for monitoring equipment replacement or upgrading. Staff has been evaluating current equipment available on the market. A decision will be made by August 1996 on whether to upgrade existing equipment or to purchase new equipment.

EPA has offered the AQMD $25,000 in supplemental grant funds for purchase of a PM2.5 sampler and operating supplies. EPA has not yet made a final decision on which types of samplers will be acceptable. That decision should be made by the end of calendar year 1996.

Resource Impacts

All the above purchases and subsequent work in the programs can be accomplished with proposed FY 1996-97 staffing levels and will require no additional resources in FY 1996�97.

In FY 1996-1997, $1,216,620 is offered to AQMD as part of the Section 105 grant to establish a fifth site and operate those five sites for the year. An additional $75,000 in grant funds would be allocated to the ASTD FY 1996-97 Fixed Asset Major Object for the purchase or upgrade of eight ambient NOx analyzers. Supplemental grant funds of $25,000 would be allocated $20,000 to the ASTD FY 1996-97 Fixed Asset Major Object for the purchase of a PM2.5 sampler and $5,000 to the Services and Supplies Major Object, Laboratory Supplies account, to proceed with the purchases following the EPA decision on acceptable equipment.

Since the receipt of funds by the AQMD constitutes a budget supplement within the meaning of Health and Safety Code 40720(j), notice of this proposed supplement was published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, San Bernardino Sun, Riverside Press Enterprise, Orange County Register, and the Inland Valley Bulletin.

Attachment

A. AQMD Proposed Fourth Year Equipment Acquisition and Staffing for the PAMS Program