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Particulate Matter Pollution in California's San Joaquin Valley
On this page:
- Final Redesignation to Attainment for PM-10 Standard and Other Actions
- Proposed Redesignation to Attainment for PM-10 Standard and other actions
- Final Affirmation of Attainment Finding for PM-10 Standard
- Extension of Public Comment Period for Proposed Affirmation of Attainment Finding for PM-10 Standard
- Proposed Affirmation of Attainment Finding for PM-10 Standard
- Final Finding of Attainment for the PM-10 Standards
- Proposed Finding of Attainment for the PM-10 Standards
- EPA Action on San Joaquin Valley’s 2003 PM-10 Plan
- Finding of Failure to Submit 5% Attainment Plan
- Regulation VIII
- 1997 Attainment Plan for Particulate Matter
Final Redesignation to Attainment for PM-10 Standard and Other Actions
EPA is finalizing its proposal to: 1) revise the boundary designation of SJV PM-10 nonattainment area by splitting the area into two separate PM-10 nonattainment areas, the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin (SJVAB) area and the East Kern area; 2) to redesignate the SJVAB area to attainment for the PM-10 standard and approve the PM-10 maintenance plan and transportation conformity budgets for the area; and 3) to approve State commitments to monitor and address Clean Air Act requirements for East Kern. EPA received comments on its proposal and addresses all comments in today's final action.
Proposed Redesignation to Attainment for PM-10 Standard and Other Actions
EPA Proposal to Revise Boundary, Redesignate and Approve Commitments for the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) PM-10 Nonattainment Area: EPA is proposing 3 actions for the SJV PM-10 nonattainment area: 1) to revise the boundary designation of SJV PM-10 nonattainment area by splitting the area into two separate PM-10 nonattainment areas, the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin (SJVAB) area and the East Kern area; 2) to redesignate the SJVAB area to attainment for the PM-10 standard and approve the PM-10 maintenance plan and transportation conformity budgets for the area; and 3) to approve State commitments to monitor and address Clean Air Act requirements for East Kern. EPA's proposal provides for a 30-day public comment period.
Final Affirmation of Attainment Finding for PM-10 Standard
In October 2006, EPA issued a final determination that the San Joaquin Valley had attained the PM-10 standards based on air quality data from 2003-2005. In August 2007, EPA proposed to concur with the State and Santa Rosa Rancheria Tribe's requests to "flag" certain PM-10 exceedances in September, October and December of 2006 as being caused by exceptional events and exclude these data from regulatory consideration. EPA is finalizing the August 2007 proposal and affirming that the San Joaquin Valley has attained the PM-10 standard based on air quality data from 2003 to 2006.
- Final Affirmation of Determination of Attainment for the PM-10 Standards
- Reference Figures 1 - 6 (PDF) (6 pp, 274K, About PDF)
- Reference Figures 7-12 (PDF) (6 pp, 43K, About PDF)
- Fact Sheet (english) (PDF) (2 pp, 32K, About PDF)
- Fact Sheet (spanish) (PDF) (2 pp, 29K, About PDF)
Extension of Public Comment Period for Proposed Affirmation of Attainment Finding for PM-10 Standard
EPA's Proposed Affirmation of PM-10 Attainment for the San Joaquin Valley was published on August 27, 2007 and included a 30-day comment period ending on September 26 2007. EPA is extending the public comment period for 30-days or until October 26, 2007. Comment period has ended.
Proposed Affirmation of Attainment Finding for PM-10 Standard
In October 2006 EPA issued a final determination that the San Joaquin Valley had attained the PM-10 standard. Since that final determination several exceedances of the PM-10 standard in 2006 have been flagged by the State as being caused by exceptional events i.e., high winds. EPA is proposing to concur with the State's request to flag these data and to affirm its October 2006 attainment determination.
- Affirmation of Determination of Attainment for the PM-10 Standards
- Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 46K)
- Fact Sheet (Spanish) (PDF) (2 pp, 68K)
Contact Information
Doris Lo (lo.doris@epa.gov)
Air Planning Office
EPA Region 9
(415) 972-3959
Final Finding of Attainment for the PM-10 Standards
EPA is finalizing its proposal to find that the San Joaquin Valley PM-10 nonattainment area has attained the PM-10 standards. This action is based on a State request and air quality monitoring data from 2003-2005 which show no violations of the PM-10 standards.
Final Finding of Attainment for the PM-10 Standards
Press Release October 17, 2006
Proposed Finding of Attainment for the PM-10 Standards
The State has submitted a request to find that the San Joaquin Valley PM-10 nonattainment area has attained the PM-10 standards. This request is based on monitored air quality data for the years 2003-2005. On July 6, 2006, EPA proposed to make the requested finding of attainment.
Contact Information
Doris Lo (lo.doris@epa.gov)
Air Planning Office
EPA Region 9
(415) 972-3959
EPA Action on San Joaquin Valley’s 2003 PM-10 Plan
On April 28, 2004, EPA finalized its approval of provisions of the San Joaquin Valley’s 2003 PM-10 Plan and Plan Amendments as meeting the Clean Air Act requirements for serious PM-10 nonattainment areas. On August 19, 2003 and December 30, 2003, the State of California submitted the 2003 PM-10 Plan and Plan Amendments for the San Joaquin Valley. On February 4, 2004, EPA proposed to approve the Plan and Plan Amendments.
The Plan and Plan Amendments address the Clean Air Act requirements for serious PM-10 nonattainment areas such as the San Joaquin Valley, including but not limited to a demonstration that best available control measures (BACM) are implemented for all significant sources and a demonstration of attainment as expeditiously as practicable. EPA accepted public comments until March 19, 2004. The final action includes a summary of the public comments and EPA responses.
Documents and related information
- Press release (April 28, 2004)
- Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 26K)
- Federal Register Notice Finalizing Approval of the 2003 PM-10 Plan (May 26, 2004)
Additional documents related to the proposal and comment period
- Press release
- Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 18K)
- Federal Register Notice proposing approval of the 2003 PM-10 Plan (February 4, 2004)
- Technical Support Document for proposed approval of the 2003 PM-10 Plan (PDF) (64 pp, 316K)
Contact Information
Doris Lo (lo.doris@epa.gov)
Air Planning Office
EPA Region 9
(415) 972-3959
Finding of Failure to Submit 5% Attainment Plan
The EPA found that the San Joaquin Valley Air District failed to submit a 5% attainment plan for particulate matter pollution by the required date, December 31, 2002. EPA’s finding started the18-month clock for mandatory application of sanctions which would include more stringent requirements for new sources of PM-10 as well as a freeze on federal highway funds. EPA's finding also started the 2-year clock for mandatory imposition of a federal implementation plan (FIP) which would require EPA to impose upon the San Joaquin Valley Air District a 5% attainment plan.
Documents and related information
- Federal Register Notice Finding of Failure to Submit (March 21, 2003)
- Fact Sheet on Finding of Failure to Submit (PDF) (March 7, 2003) (2 pp, 191K)
Regulation VIII
As directed by the Clean Air Act, the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District develops regulations to address pollution problems identified in their PM-10 attainment plan. EPA's approval of these regulations will help achieve the necessary emission reductions, and provide one component of a successful plan for attainment of particulate matter standards.
One of the main causes of particulate matter pollution in the San Joaquin Valley is dust from roads, parking lots, construction, mining, bulk material storage and other activities. The San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District’s Regulation VIII contains 8 rules designed to control particulate matter emissions from these activities. On January 22, 2003, EPA finalized a conditional approval and limited approval and limited disapproval of the 2001 version of Regulation VIII. We believe this version significantly improves the previous versions, and our final action makes it enforceable by EPA and citizens. However, this action also directs the local agency to perform additional analysis to demonstrate that Regulation VIII fully complies with all Clean Air Act requirements.
Documents and related information
- Fact Sheet on Final Action (PDF) (January 22, 2003) (2 pp, 26K)
- Final Federal Register Notice (February 26, 2003)
1997 Attainment Plan for Particulate Matter
The San Joaquin Valley is classified as a serious nonattainment area for particulate matter (PM-10). As a serious nonattainment area, the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District was required to prepare and submit a PM-10 attainment plan to EPA in 1997 that achieved the national health standards for PM-10 by December 31, 2001.
A plan was submitted in 1997, but it did not provide for attainment. As EPA was preparing to propose a disapproval action on the plan, the State withdrew it from EPA's consideration. In response, EPA issued a finding of failure to submit such plan.
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA must issue a finding of failure to attain when an area misses its attainment deadline. This finding was finalized in July 2002. It triggered the requirement to submit a new PM-10 attainment plan by December 31, 2002, that achieved emissions reductions of 5% per year of either PM-10 or PM-10 precursors until the area attains the standard ("5% attainment plan").
Final Finding of Failure to Attain
- Press Release on Finding of Failure to Attain (July 16, 2002)
- Fact Sheet on Final Finding of Failure to Attain (PDF) (July 16, 2002) (1 pg, 56K)
- Federal Register Notice on Finding of Failure to Attain (July 23, 2002)
Proposed Finding of Failure to Attain and Final Finding of Failure to Submit
- Press Release on Findings (February 28, 2002)
- Fact Sheet on Findings (PDF) (February 28, 2002) (2 pp, 37K)
- Federal Register Notice on Finding of Failure to Submit (March 18, 2002)
- Federal Register Notice on Proposed Finding of Failure to Attain (March 15, 2002)