Smoke Management Program
Ayron spoke at the mandatory TMDL meetings on the issue of the Smoke Management Program. The main points are as follows:
· Anyone wanting to burn needs to consider the notification requirements of the Good Neighbor Policy, specifically the need to notify neighbors with 1/2 mile radius to the burn site at 2 days and 1 hour prior to burn. This can be tricky as you don't always know when you will get the ok from APCD to burn, but use common sense.
· See the Sample Notice form in both English and Spanish and the entire Good Neighbor Policy below
· Motorists should be given the option to take an alternative route prior to driving up to a burning field, place signage accordingly.
· Carefully review Ordinance No. 1468 for information on necessary signage. This is an ordinance set forth by the County of Imperial and is enforceable.
· We have quotes from Acme for proper signage also available below, but you can buy your signs elsewhere if you so choose. Just remember to have proper verbiage, colors and size per the ordinance.
For more information call our office at (760) 312-9808. Thank you.
Notice of Availability of Funds
Carl Moyer Diesel Engine Upgrade Program
The Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (District) has grant funds available under the Carl Moyer Program to assist Imperial County individuals and businesses in reducing pollutants from diesel engines by replacing, repowering or retrofitting them with newer, cleaner technologies. Grants will be made available to qualified applicants subject to the requirements of the program.
Applications may be obtained by calling the Imperial County Air Pollution District at 760-482-4606, or logging on to the District’s website at http://www.imperialcounty.net/ under the Air Pollution link.
Applications will be considered based on cost effectiveness of the project(s) and on date of application received. Applications should be submitted to Imperial County APCD at 150 South 9th Street, El Centro, CA 92243.
You may also download application here: IC Moyer Application
ARB Onroad and Offroad Diesel Rule Changes
Below are fact sheets on changes to the rules that several of our members have been following.
Again, the APCD has no jurisdiction over these state rules. 
Regardless, these proposed changes are very good for industry.
Links to the just published presentations for changes to the diesel rules for onroad and offroad.
2 page fact sheet for changes to on road diesel regs
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/documents/onrfactsep29.pdf
2 page fact sheet for changes to off road diesel regs
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/documents/ordfactsep29.pdf
If you have time to burn- 120 slide staff workshop presentation
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/documents/workshop_final_093010.pdf
Imperial County seeks review of EPA’s Determination
When people read that a government agency takes legal action against another government agency it’s easy to dismiss as just an argument between agencies with no affect on the reader. The truth is any dispute between agencies should be watched carefully. Remember, these governmental agencies are supposed to represent you and I. So, what is it that brings two governmental agencies into the court system? Obviously there is some disagreement but it isn’t uncommon for agencies to disagree so what has occurred to cause such a drastic action? Well in this particular instance the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (Air District) is seeking review of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) determination on fugitive dust rules. The Air District contents that its fugitive dust rules, known as Regulation VIII not only meet federal requirements but are the best available control measures for Imperial County. Conversely, the EPA has contended that the Regulation VIII rules, as adopted in 2005, only meet federal requirements on a limited basis. Essentially, EPA has stated that the Air District must fix what the EPA has identified as deficient or the Air District must demonstrate through technical analysis why fixing the identified analysis is not possible. When you first read what EPA is requesting it seems reasonable until you being to see the background to EPA’s decision.
The Air District provided substantial evidence, both technical and nontechnical that the Regulation VIII rules mirrored the stringency of other area rules having the same dust issues as Imperial County. EPA’s response to the Air Districts analysis lacked any substantive backup. That is, the EPA gave little to no technical analysis regarding its dismissal of the Air District’s technical analysis but only provided assumptions with little to no technical support. Instead, EPA is making recommendations which the Air District contends could be costly and detrimental to the Imperial County. After exhausting all avenues of communications with EPA the Air District was left with a last remaining option which was to file the petition to review. On Friday, September 3, 2010 a petition with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit was filed by the Air District seeking a review of the EPA determination issued July 8, 2010 whereby EPA issued a limited disapproval of the Air Districts Regulation VIII fugitive dust rules. It is important to note, that without these rules the Air District cannot meet federal requirements for the health based standards for Particulate Matter 10. Not meeting federal requirements causes a sequence of events which include potential sanctions and the imposition of EPA rulemaking on Imperial County. Simply put, first federal monies for highway improvements will be taken away and the a few months after EPA will be able to not only adopt but enforcement the rules they believe Imperial County should live by, this is known as a Federal Implementation Plan or FIP.
Even with all the work involved with the Regulation VIII rules the Air District is working diligently and is committed to the improvement of not only the environment but of the health and quality of life of the residents of Imperial County. The Air District currently manages several programs whose primary focus is to protect the public from adverse effects of air pollution. For those that are unfamiliar with the programs please contact the Air District for more information or visit their webpage at http://www.imperialcounty.net/AirPollution/Default.htm. Listed below are a couple of those programs.
Agricultural Engines
Under California law, agricultural engines are defined as those used for the purpose of growing crops, or raising fowl or other animals. Agricultural engines are typically used to pump water, run frost protection systems, and to generate electricity during power failures or to provide electricity in remote locations. There are essentially two types Portable and Stationary engines.
The State of California issues what are known as Air Toxic Control Measures (ATCM) designed to reduce diesel particulates also referred to as particulate matter (PM). The purpose of the ATCM is to phase out older, higher-polluting diesel engines and replace them with cleaner-burning equipment. The way the state categorizes cleaner engines from dirtier engines is by using a Tier system. Tier “0” engines are most dirty engines with Tier “4” engines being the cleanest. Tier 0 engines are not allowed to operate and should have been registered with the State or County as of September 2008. By 2015-2016 all Tier 1 and Tier 2 engines need to be removed. If you’re wondering if your engine qualifies because there are exceptions you should contact the Air District for more information.
Now what about those agricultural engines bigger than 50 hp? There are requirements for those engines known as Stationary Compression-Ignition Engines (SCIE). New and existing or in-use agricultural engines meeting the horsepower requirement of the SCIE ATCM must reduce PM much like the smaller agricultural engines mentioned above. This is also true of portable engines owned by and used exclusively at an agricultural facility. In Imperial County the Air District has a registration requirement in addition to the SCIE ATCM requirements for all agricultural engines that must be met and so it is highly recommended that you contact the Air District for more information. Here is a link that may be helpful. http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/ag/publications.htm
For portable engines not owned by an agricultural facility, such as those portable engines at a rental company, there is a Portable Engine ATCM. The section applicable under the California Code of Regulations is §2423 of Title 13 and Part 89 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations
Proposition 1B: Goods Movement Emission Reduction program
The California Legislature back in 2006 decided that pollution from vehicles involved in the movement of goods affected to a degree necessitating regulation hence, the birth of the Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program (Program). The program in general is a partnership between the California State Air Resources Board (CARB) and local agencies designed to reduce air pollution and its associated health risk from goods movement along California's trade corridors. The funding mechanism for Imperial County is part of the San Diego/Border Region goods movement corridor. Types of equipment addressed through the funding process are cargo handling equipment, forklifts, heavy-duty diesel trucks to name a few. Currently, the Air District is at the end of the first phase of the Proposition 1B Truck program however the funding cycle renews depending of course on the California budget. Therefore, Proposition 1B funding for the Truck program is available and interested parties are encouraged to apply. Another program finalizing under the 1B program is the Low Emission School Bus (LESB) program. As soon as all required inspections are finalized contracts will be signed resulting in cleaner school buses for Imperial County. So if you would like more information please contact the Air District or visit the Air District webpage under 1B Funding.
Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program: Year 11 Program
Another successful program is the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Carl Moyer) which provides incentive grants for cleaner than required engines, equipment and other sources of pollution. This program was designed to meet California’s clean air commitments required under the State Implementation Plan. The program requires the replace of old, high polluting equipment with newer, cleaner equipment earlier than would have been expected through the normal rate of attrition. The success of the program is evident as it is in its 11th year of program funding. This new funding cycle, which will be available soon, has a new category, off-road equipment, included for funding. CARB was able to establish this new category because for some equipment, replacing the engine only, is not possible and for others, the diminished value of the old equipment may not justify investing significant funds for engine replacement. In any event, talking with the Air District will help provide more information regarding the Carl Moyer program.
