BOARD MEETING DATE: February 13, 1998 AGENDA NO. 20
PROPOSAL:
Recognize and Appropriate Funds from EPA for Sixth-Year PAMS Program
SYNOPSIS:
EPA has allocated Section 105 grant funds to AQMD for the sixth year of the PAMS program. The AQMD is designated to receive $854,622 for staffing, purchase of fixed assets and supplies, and purchase or lease of equipment to continue the program. This action is to recognize $854,622 from EPA upon receipt, and to appropriate these funds to the FY 1997-98 Budget for the program’s sixth-year implementation.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, January 23, 1998, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Recognize $854,622 from EPA to support the sixth-year implementation of the PAMS program.
- Appropriate $854,622 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the FY 1997-98 Budget as set forth in Attachment A.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer
Background
In February, 1993, the U.S. EPA promulgated the PAMS (Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station) 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 one site per year, up to a total of seven sites by 1998. As of mid-1997 the AQMD operates six sites and has met the implementation schedule of the Standard Plan submitted in August of 1993. EPA has allocated Section 103 and supplemental Section 105 grant funds in support of this program. EPA funding has leveled off after four years of annual increases. The funding over the past five years has been predominantly for the acquisition of equipment for establishing these sites. The sixth-year PAMS allocation represents a decrease in grant funds from prior years, with the emphasis shifting now to the maintenance and operation of the PAMS sites. In this regard, $185,000 is proposed for temporary staff during the summertime intensive PAMS sampling period. Also within the fifth and sixth-year PAMS funding are the capital equipment necessary to install the final PAMS site in Santa Clarita.
Resource Impacts
In FY 1997-98, $854,622 is offered to the AQMD as part of the Section 105 grant for the federally required PAMS program. These funds will be sufficient to accomplish the work proposed in this program for the FY 1997-98.
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.
A - Proposed Sixth-Year Equipment Acquisition and Staffing for PAMS
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