South Coast Air Quality Management District

Report on Permit Streamlining and Application Inventory Reduction

SYNOPSIS: 

This report provides a status update on AQMD's permit processing activities with specific focus on implementation of permit streamlining measures; recent progress in permit production and inventory reduction; and optimization of the permit inventory based on the projected number of applications which will be received and processed in calendar year 2001.

COMMITTEE: 

Permit Streamlining Task Force, August 24, 2001 and October 5, 2001, Reviewed

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file the attached Report on Permit Streamlining and Application Inventory Reduction.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

A combination of several factors in the last decade has resulted in a significant increase in the AQMD's permitting workload. In the 1990s AQMD began implementation of two major new permitting programs, namely RECLAIM and Title V, in addition to the conventional permit program used to regulate more than 25,000 stationary emission sources. Staff reductions in 1994 along with increased new federal, state and local regulatory requirements, in addition to RECLAIM and Title V created a significantly greater permitting workload for AQMD. As a result permit streamlining and prioritization of permit application backlog has become a major focus for AQMD and subject of studies such as the recent Triennial Performance Audit.

In order to address this priority, in recent years AQMD has explored and implemented a number of measures to streamline permitting and improve operational efficiencies while maintaining public health safeguards. Due to these efforts, AQMD has been able to significantly improve permitting efficiency and customer service.

Proposal

During the September 21, 2001 AQMD Board meeting, in response to Board member inquiries about the status and outlook of the permit inventory, Vice-Chair Glover recommended that a "white paper" be produced.

The attached report titled "Report on Permit Streamlining and Application Inventory Reduction" provides a comprehensive status update on AQMD's progress in implementation of streamlining measures and in reduction of permit application inventory. The report also reflects input from the Permit Streamlining Task Force.

Attachments

Report on Permit Streamlining and Application Inventory Reduction

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