South Coast Air Quality Management District

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:  

This report highlights the May 2002 outreach activities of the Public Affairs Office which includes the following: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Local Government Activity.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

The attached report reflects the activities of the Public Affairs Office for the month of May 2002. The report format includes four major areas: Environmental Justice Update; Community Events/Public Meetings (including the Speakers Bureau, Visitor Services, Communication Center, and Public Information Center); Business Assistance; and Local Government Activity.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT

May 2002

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE

As of March 2000, the AQMD has met the objectives of the Environmental Justice Initiatives below. Policies and procedures are in place to address the Environmental Justice concerns of communities and individuals.
 

INITIATIVE	ACTIVITY
#2 Ambient Monitoring of Air Toxics	MATES II and Microscale Study: Completed. Governing Board approved MATES II study at March 2000 meeting.
#5 Environmental Justice Task Force	Completed. The final report was received at the August 1999 Governing Board meeting.
#6 City of Los Angeles      Environmental Justice Forum	Completed. AQMD participated in the October 25, 1997, forum.
#7 Diesel Fuel Clean-Up Incentives	The series of fleet rules was completed in April 2001 with the adoption of Rule 1195, Clean On-Road School Buses.
#8 Field Inspection Technology	Completed. The Governing Board approved a plan at the December 1998 meeting.
#9 Portable Equipment Permitting	Completed. The Governing Board approved a compliance policy for Portable Equipment on March 12, 1999.
#10 Public Comment, Rules 1401 and        1402	Completed. The Governing Board approved the Toxics Reduction Plan at the March 2000 meeting.

The following Initiatives are ongoing:
 

INITIATIVE	ACTIVITY
#1 Town Hall Meeting.	Staff attended and participated in a Town Hall meeting in San Fernando on May 16th.
#3 Community Response Teams	Attended meeting at Church of the Holy Family in Wilmington, in reference to hydrogen fluoride use at Ultramar Refinery. Attended EJ meeting at California League of Conservation Voters office in Westwood. Met with representatives from East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice regarding complaints about idling trains in the City of Commerce. Attended Valley Oaks Homeowners meeting and discussed odor complaints from surrounding businesses. Attended Carson Hot Spot Community meeting.
#4 CEQA Commenting	Reporting period: May 2002 Documents received this reporting period:          56 Requests to AQMD for document review:           0 Documents to receive AQMD comments:          14 Comment letters sent out this reporting period:   23

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of AQMD customers receive tips on reducing their exposure to smog and its health effects, information on ways to participate in AQMD rule and policy development, and assistance in resolving air quality-related problems through events and meetings which AQMD sponsors alone and with others. Following are examples of the activities that were undertaken during the month:
 

Participated in Inland Counties American Lung Association meeting in San Bernardino.

Gave an air quality overview to the Industry Hills Rotary Club at the Golden Palms Resort in the City of Industry.

SPEAKER’S BUREAU/VISITOR SERVICES

AQMD receives requests from trade associations, chambers of commerce and community-based groups, as well as schools, hospitals, and health-based organizations for District staff to speak on a variety of air quality-related issues. The AQMD also hosts visitors from around the world who meet with staff on a wide range of air quality issues. The following describes the types of activities coordinated by this office this month:
 

Participated in the D.W. Griffith School Health Fair.

Hosted visiting dignitaries from China.

Participated in the Natural Resources Partnership for Youth Achievement at Woodrow Wilson High School.

Hosted visiting dignitaries from Japan.

COMMUNICATION CENTER STATISTICS

The Communication Center handles all District main line, CUT-SMOG line and Spanish line calls.
 

Main Line Calls	Cut-Smog Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
6,687	4,318	2,518	41	14,488

*Saturday, Sunday, Holidays and after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER STATISTICS

The Public Information Center handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information.
 

Visitor Transactions	Info Pkgs. Mailed	Calls Rec’d by PIC Staff	Calls to Automated System	Total Phone Calls
762	59	274	4,277	4,551

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in their development, and works with other agencies and states to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly. Staff also provides assistance to small businesses both over the phone and by on-site consultation. Following are examples of the types of assistance given:
 

ACTIVITY

Provided advice regarding District’s permitting and compliance requirements for wood adhesives, including the latest PR 1168 proposal to an out-of-state based adhesive material manufacturer.

Participated in the ZEV 2002 event at Irwindale.

Provided assistance to a local government economic development agency representative regarding the permitting and compliance requirements for businesses relocating their facilities to our jurisdiction.

Represented the AQMD at the Carson AB 2588 Public Consultation Meeting regarding toxic risks from the Niklor Chemical Company.

Worked with Engineering & Compliance and Small Business Assistance staff in providing a local city’s Code Enforcement Officer with the permitting and compliance status report on a wood chipping company operation for a possible groundwater quality violation.

Provided AQMD’s Rules and Regulations to the County Fire Authority regarding the permitting and compliance requirements for open spraying of coating materials.

Assisted a concrete colorant manufacturing company from Illinois, that is setting up a manufacturing plant in Rialto, in the completing applications for six mixing tanks and three dust collectors.

At the request of CPO, provided on-site assistance to the owner of dry cleaning operation for their Order for Abatement Hearing before the District’s Hearing Board. The business had recently been denied and will be included in a special Order for Abatement program, designed to allow affected dry cleaners specified time period to purchase new compliant equipment.

Provided assistance to a dry cleaning facility with regards to filing an appeal with the Hearing Board on their permit application.

Provided consultation regarding permitting and compliance requirement on an office building that operated medium size boilers exceeding Rules 1146 and 1146.1 requirements on emission limits.

Provided assistance in determining air quality permit requirements and issued a Clearance Letter for local city’s occupancy permit requirements to an equipment rental facility that plans to relocate into a new building

Provided assistance regarding VOC content requirements on coating material under various rules to a paint manufacturer.

Aircraft component repair facility wanted to spray primers with chromium that is considered toxic. Staff suggested the addition of HEPA filters on the spray booth exhaust. After facility obtained bid on the addition, staff assisted in putting together an application for modification and determined measurements for receptor risk calculations.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)

Intergovernmental Affairs staff provides outreach at monthly Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings, as well as working with local government, state and federal officials in response to their air quality concerns and local issues. The following is a sample of the type of issues dealt with this month.
 

ACTIVITY

Located information on Congressional Representatives for the Gateway Cities area.

Met with Small Business Assistance Manager and Supervising Inspector in reference City of Bellflower concerns about asbestos permitting and notification requirements.

Arranged for a class regarding asbestos permitting and notification for City of Beverly Hills.

Researched air quality benefits of trees on the request of the City of Commerce Community Development Director.

Met with Cudahy City Manager & Community Development Director and discussed: AQIP funding, air quality issues, AQMD Clearance Letter, transit funding, and potential lease of EV for Code Enforcement personnel.

Attended SCAG Regional Transit Task Force meeting with MTA, OCTA and Caltrans Regions 8 & 9 personnel to discuss air quality and EJ issues.

Attended Temple City Council meeting and addressed council members to discuss AQMD, air quality, and AQIP funding.

Attended SCAG Modeling Task Force meeting.

Attended Orange County Council of Governments meeting.

Attended the Public Workshop for the draft Coachella Valley 2002 SIP.

Attended Gateway Cities COG I-710 Corridor Task Force and participated in selection of three Local Preferred Alternatives for consideration at Public Workshops.

Attended Western Riverside/Orange County Councils of Governments Interregional Partnership working group meeting.

Met and conferred with City of Huntington Beach staff regarding Clearance Letter program.

Met with Bellflower Community Development Director regarding: air quality, EJ, AQIP funding, alternative fuel vehicle lease, Air Quality Permit Check List and Clearance Letters.

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