PROPOSAL:

Recognize and Appropriate Funds from EPA for
Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations Program

SYNOPSIS:

EPA has allocated Section 103 grant funds to AQMD for the PAMS program. This action is to recognize $1,253,859 ($1,075,800 for FY 97-98, and $178,059 carryover from FY 96-97) from EPA upon receipt, and to appropriate these funds to the FY 1997-98 budget for the PAMS program fifth year implementation; and to reappropriate $313,941, which was unexpended from the PAMS program fourth year operation in FY 1996-97 and which reverted to the Undesignated Reserves on June 30, 1997, to the PAMS program in FY 1997-98.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, June 20, 1997, Recommended for Approval.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Recognize $1,075,800 from EPA for the fifth year implementation and appropriate from the Undesignated Fund Balance as set forth in Attachment A.

2. Recognize $178,059 from EPA and the reappropriation of $313,941 carried over from the fourth year implementation for a total appropriation of $492,000 from Undesignated Fund Balance to the PAMS program as set forth in Attachment B.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

In February, 1993, the United States EPA promulgated the PAMS regulations for areas classified as serious, severe or extreme non-attainment. Those regulations required AQMD to conduct monitoring for ozone precursors and enhance monitoring equipment at 1 site per year, up to a total of 7 sites by 1998. As of mid-1997 the AQMD operates 6 sites and has met the implementation schedule of the Standard Plan submitted in August of 1993. EPA has allocated Section 103 and supplemental grant funds in support of this program. EPA funding has leveled off after 4 years of annual increases. The funding is sufficient to maintain the existing network and for the addition of the final station in 1998.

In July of 1996 the Board recognized $1,316,620 in support of the PAMS program. Not all of these funds were spent in the fourth year of the PAMS program. Three major fixed assets, laboratory supplies, temporary staff services, and contract services amounting to $492,000 were not purchased in the AQMD’s FY 1996-97 because of the long lead time necessary to procure some items, and the constrictions caused by appropriately phasing in all PAMS sites.

Resource Impacts

In FY 1997-98, $1,075,800 is offered to the AQMD as part of the Section 103 grant to establish a seventh site and operate that and the previous 6 sites for the year. No additional resources will be needed to accomplish the work in this program for the proposed FY 1997-98. The $492,000 not expended in FY 1996-97 ($178,059 not yet received from EPA and $313,941 carried over from FY 96/97) will need to be reallocated for expenditure in FY 1997-98 to accomplish the goals of the PAMS program.

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

Attachment:

A - Proposed Fifth Year Equipment Acquisition and Staffing for PAMS

B - Unexpended Fourth Year Equipment Acquisition and Contracts to be
       Reappropriated to PAMS

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