Preface
The final draft Air Toxics Control Plan is a planning document
designed to examine the overall direction of the South Coast Air
Quality Management District’s (AQMD’s) air toxics control program.
Development and implementation of strategic initiatives will require
partnerships with other agencies, the regulated community,
environmental groups, and the public.
The plan is not required by state or federal law, so it will not be
submitted as a part of the State Implementation Plan (SIP), nor will
it be a legally binding document. Staff will seek the
Governing Board's approval of the plan as a planning document for
possible future action. Such action would direct staff to
further proceed with identified control strategies and determine the
feasibility of developing such strategies. If so directed by
the Board, staff will further evaluate and refine each strategy.
Strategies that are deemed viable and are within the AQMD’s
jurisdiction will each be brought to the Board for further
consideration through the normal public review process.
Strategies that are to be implemented by other agencies will be
developed in a cooperative effort and the progress will be reported
back to the Board periodically.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Introduction
The AQMD
has a long and successful history of reducing air toxics and
criteria emissions in the South Coast Air Basin (Basin). Efforts at
the local, state, and federal level contribute to the continuing
reduction of pollution. AQMD has an extensive control program,
including traditional and innovative rules and policies. AQMD works
closely with stakeholders to develop requirements that achieve air
quality objectives, while being sensitive to economic issues. Air
quality continues to improve in this region, although much work is
needed before Basin residents will have healthful air.
The
concept for a final draft Air Toxics Control Plan is an outgrowth of
the Environmental Justice principles and the Environmental Justice
Initiatives adopted by the Governing Board in October 1997.
Extensive air monitoring under Environmental Justice Initiative #2
(Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study, MATES II) and work under
Environmental Justice Initiative #10 (related to air toxics rules
for new and existing sources) highlighted the need for a more
systematic approach to reducing air toxics emissions. |