County air quality topic of Tuesday public meeting

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public meeting Tuesday evening to gain stakeholder input regarding area designations under the particulate matter national ambient air quality standards.

The meeting will be at the Francisco Grande Hotel in Casa Grande at 5:30 p.m.

The EPA recently asked the state to submit a recommendation designating areas of Pinal County as being in attainment, non-attainment or un-classifiable (inadequate data to make a determination) for the inhalable particulate matter (PM 10) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The information is to be submitted to the state by Feb. 8. EPA’s request is based on particulate matter concentrations measured in the western portion of the county that are in violation of the NAAQS.

ADEQ and the Pinal County Air Quality Control District are in the process of developing illustrative maps for potential boundaries of Pinal County non-attainment areas according to the nine factors outlined in the EPA guidance. The basis for the non-attainment area boundaries will be documented in technical support documents (TSDs) that will accompany the Governor’s recommendation to EPA. Because of the importance and the urgency of this issue, ADEQ will consult with all affected parties and any interested stakeholders.

At this meeting, ADEQ representatives will discuss the data that will be used to conduct the evaluation of the illustrative maps, its overall approach to the nine-factor analysis, and hear stakeholder concerns and desired outcomes.

Information on the designation process, including copies of the nine-factor guidance and the illustrative maps can be found online.

Written public comments will be accepted through Feb. 5, and may be addressed to: JamesWagner, ADEQ, 1110 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007, or by email at [email protected].

Map courtesy of ADEQ