BOARD MEETING DATE: December 11, 1998 AGENDA NO. 6
PROPOSAL:
Recognize and Appropriate Funds from EPA for PM2.5 Program
SYNOPSIS:
EPA has allocated $505,125 in Section 103 Grant funds for the second year of the PM2.5 "core" monitoring program. This action is to recognize these funds from EPA upon receipt, and appropriate these funds to the FY 1998-99 Budget for the PM2.5 program.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, November 20, 1998, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
In 1997, EPA promulgated new ambient air quality standards for fine particulates (PM2.5) and issued requirements for a new PM2.5 monitoring network. EPA has further indicated that it will fund the necessary purchase of all needed samplers as well as all the operational and maintenance costs, including staffing, associated with this network. Earlier this year, EPA gave the AQMD initial Section 103 Grant funds in the amount of $176,400 for the initial phase of the program to be carried out during the remainder of calendar year 1998. The Board recognized those funds at its July, 1998 Board meeting.
There are three aspects to the monitoring program: (1) PM2.5 "core" monitors to determine compliance status with the new standards; (2) speciation monitoring to determine particulate components; and (3) continuous monitors to provide feedback for public notifications. At this point, the details of the second and third components are not well established by EPA, but there is a critical need to keep the "core" monitoring program moving forward. Therefore, EPA is providing a Section 103 Grant at this time in the amount of $505,125 so that the AQMD has funding to continue the implementation of the "core" program without delay. It is expected that EPA will issue additional funds to the AQMD in mid-1999 for the speciation and continuous monitoring programs.
Under the Section 103 Grant program, funds can only be used for the purpose intended. In this case, the grant amount of $505,125 will be used to operate and maintain the field and laboratory portions of the PM2.5 program. Included are costs for maintenance of equipment, laboratory supplies, mileage, and other associated miscellaneous costs. The majority of the funds will be used for staffing. For the "core" portion of the program, five positions are needed: three field technicians and two laboratory specialists. Under the initial 1998 grant, over half the funds were allocated for temporary staff to meet these needs. Under the current grant, $340,000 are earmarked for staffing necessary to carry this program through calendar year 1999. It is expected that EPA funds will be made available each year to fund the PM2.5 monitoring program. It should also be noted that EPA has addressed the AQMD’s earlier concerns regarding a sufficient funding level, and in staff’s opinion, the current second year grant funding is sufficient to meet the "core" program requirements.
Proposal
Staff proposes that the Board recognize from EPA and appropriate to the FY 1998-99 Budget, $505,125 for the PM2.5 program, as described below:
Fiscal Impacts
These grant funds are a supplement to the FY 1998-99 Budget, and as such have no negative impact on the budget. It should be noted, however, for the mandated PM2.5 program, AQMD has no assurance that EPA will continue to provide sufficient funding in subsequent years, and should sufficient funding not occur, staff will need to consider either reducing the level of the program, or readjusting the existing resources to meet program commitments.
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.
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