PROPOSAL:

Implement Recommendations for Environmental Justice Initiative No. 8 - Field Inspection Technology

SYNOPSIS:

On February 13, 1998, the Governing Board approved the issuance of an RFP to select a contractor to identify state-of-the-science sampling, analytical and compliance assessment technologies in support of Environmental Justice Initiative No. 8 – Field Inspection Technology. On July 10, 1998, the Board approved the selection of a contractor and the execution of the contract. The contractor’s report was submitted October 7, 1998, and was reviewed by staff and by the ad hoc Peer Review Group. This Board letter provides a staff analysis of this report and recommendations for the implementation of selected items. Future budget recommendations will include the necessary funding.

COMMITTEE:

Stationary Source, November 20, 1998, and Technology, November 20, 1998, Recommended for Approval.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve in concept the recommendations to implement Environmental Justice Initiative No. 8 – Field Inspection Technology

Barry R. Wallerstein, D. Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On October 10, 1997, the Board approved the Environmental Justice Initiatives
proposed by Chairman William Burke. Initiative No. 8 – Field Inspection Technology
is directed at implementing modern technology advances to enhance field enforcement efforts. The implementation plan for this initiative called for two workplans to be prepared and presented to the Board outlining the schedules to refine laboratory testing and analysis technologies and to improve in-field enforcement capabilities through the use of portable monitoring equipment. The implementation plan also directed the AQMD to contract with a consultant to conduct a state-of-the-science review of advanced testing, analysis and inspection technology and evaluate existing AQMD capabilities. An RFP to conduct the field inspection and analytical technology assessments was included in the integrated Initiative No. 8 workplan which was presented and approved at the December 12, 1997 Board meeting.

On February 13, 1998, the Governing Board approved the release of RFP #9798-28 – "Field Inspection and Analytical Technology Assessment." In response to this, bids were received and reviewed and on July 10, 1998, the Board approved staff’s recommendation to execute a $45,000 contract with Pacific Environmental Services, Inc. On October 7, 1998, the contractor’s report was submitted and subsequently reviewed by staff and by the ad hoc Peer Review Group.

Consultant’s Recommendations With Staff / Peer Review Group Analysis

The consultants separated their recommendations into the following three categories:

• Compliance inspections and most complaint responses;
• Complex complaints and special studies; and,
• Emergency response situations

These recommendations range from improved communications with complainants, to the purchasing of sophisticated equipment for analyzing air samples. These recommendations are listed in Appendix A with a point-by-point staff analysis of each recommendation.

Staff Conclusions and Recommendations

Environmental Justice Initiative No. 8 – Field Inspection Technology is directed at implementing modern technology advances to enhance field enforcement efforts. To this end, staff recommends that the measures set forth below developed by the consultant, staff, and members of the ad hoc Peer Review Group be implemented. We have listed these measures in a descending order of importance.

• Enhance Inspector's Field Sampling Capability
  - expand the inspector's field equipment to include evacuated Silcosteel or Summa
     polished canisters and sorbent tubes;
  - develop an inspector's sampling manual; and,
  - provide inspector sample protocol training. 

• Initiate Technology Advancement Office (TAO) Projects To Further Enhance Field Inspection Technology
  - expand the use of occupational air sampling/air monitoring devices by refining the
     sensitivity to ambient air levels; and,
  - develop the ambient air sampling capability of "artificial nose" technology.

• Arrange a Short Term Lease for a Portable Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) and Support Equipment to Conduct Field Tests
  - the utilization of this equipment shall be optimized by its use in the laboratory and
     in the field. Besides assisting with incidents in the field, this utilization will allow
     the phasing out of an existing 12-year-old GC/MS unit in the laboratory.

• Expand Inspector Data Access
  - expand inspectors' remote access to the AQMD’s computerized databases;
  - complete the development of computer mapping capabilities that will allow
     inspectors to plot the location of complaints. This will help determine the
     source of complaints as well as provide more visual complaint histories.
  - provide an expanded number of Compliance Assurance Automated System
    (CAAS) computer systems to field inspection staff.

Implementation Schedule

Development of an Inspector Sampling Manual and presentation of expanded sampling training, as well as acquisition of additional notebook computers for inspector field data access is recommended this fiscal year. Staff recommends the remainder of this measures be implemented during the next 2 fiscal years as summarized in Exhibit 1 chart included as page 4 of this Board agenda item. In this way, the Governing Board can consider fixed asset purchases, equipment lease, and proposed TAO projects as part of fiscal year budget discussion.

Acknowledgements

Besides consultant, Pacific Environmental Services, members of the ad hoc Peer Review Group, and several AQMD staff contributed to this effort. Staff would like to express our gratitude to the Peer Review Group members: Lisa Carlson, Dr. Ian Kaplan, and Dr. Steve Colome as well as AQMD staff members Joan Niertit, Roger Christopher, Katsumi Keeler, Sumner Wilson, and Rudy Eden.

EXHIBIT 1
RECOMMENDED IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

^{1 & 2} Equipment acquisition is dependent upon funding availability and Governing Board approval of proposed fiscal year budget

recommendations.
³ Lease is based upon 40 percent of estimated $100,000 equipment purchase price, 80 percent of lease fee is applicable to purchase.

⁴ Purchase GC/MS if field evaluation demonstrates consistent utility and data reliability.
(assumes 80 percent of lease payment applicable to purchase)

Attachments

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