From: Ungvarsky, John

To: Ungvarsky, John

Subject: Najita email. March 10 2016

Date: Monday, May 16, 2016 7:03:46 PM

Attachments: image001.png

From: Najita, Theresa@ARB 

Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:47 AM

To: Shawn Ferreria

Cc: Jon Klassen; Vanderspek, Sylvia@ARB; Tasat, Webster@ARB

Subject: RE: District requests ARB to flag data in AQS for 2013 and 2014

Shawn,

Thank you for your flagging request; I apologize for the delay in responding.

We have further reviewed the request to flag the specified data in light of the requirements of the Exceptional Event Rule. The Exceptional Events Rule

specifically states that an exceptional event “... does not include stagnation of air masses or meteorological inversions, a meteorological event involving high

temperatures or lack of precipitation..[40 CFR 50.1(j)]”. With that in mind, ARB finds that attaching a Request for Exclusion flag (rl) to data that is in conflict

with the Rule’s definition of an exceptional event is not appropriate. We can, however, flag these data with an informational (IL) flag if you wish.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Theresa Najita

Air Pollution Specialist

California Air Resources Board

916-322-7297

Theresa.Najita@arb.ca.gov

From: Shawn Ferreria [mailto:Shawn.Ferreria@valleyair.org] 

Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 1:21 PM

To: Najita, Theresa@ARB

Cc: Jon Klassen

Subject: RE: District requests ARB to flag data in AQS for 2013 and 2014

The valley experienced the strongest recorded atmospheric stability over the past 15 years during the fall 2013 and winter 2014. This

 stable pattern effectively trapped pollutants and caused elevated particulate concentrations. Climate conditions caused by this type of

 weather pattern resulted in historically dry and poor air quality conditions in the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of California.

From: Shawn Ferreria 

Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 1:18 PM

To: tnajita@arb.ca.gov

Cc: Jon Klassen; 'webster.tasat@arb.ca.gov'

Subject: District requests ARB to flag data in AQS for 2013 and 2014

Importance: High

Good Afternoon Theresa,

As referenced in the attached June 5, 2015 letter, the District intended to pursue the following data points as potential exceptional event

days.    The San Joaquin Valley APCD is requesting ARB to flag the following in AQS as RL-other.

Event Description: 

The valley experienced the strongest recorded atmospheric stability over the past 15 years during the fall 2013 and winter 2014. This

 stable pattern effectively trapped pollutants and caused elevated particulate concentrations. Climate conditions caused by this type of

 weather pattern resulted in historically dry and poor air quality conditions in the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of California. The

 historic strength and longevity of this high pressure system resulted in a lack of rainfall especially in central and southern California,

 leading to a third consecutive year of below average rainfall totals during the 2013 calendar year.

Date Site Name AQS ID Parameter

Code POC Concentration

(μg/m3) Flag Requested

18-Dec-13

Hanford 06-031-1004 81102 1 177 RL - Other (Drought)

Visalia-Church Street 06-107-2002 81102 2 155 RL - Other (Drought)

21-Jan-14 Bakersfield-California Avenue 06-029-0014 81102 7 158.5 RL - Other (Drought)

Date Site Name AQS ID Parameter

Code POC Concentration

(μg/m3) Flag Requested

17-Dec-13 Bakersfield-California Avenue* 06-029-0014 81102 7 237 RL - Other (Drought)

18-Dec-13 Bakersfield-California Avenue* 06-029-0014 81102 7 184 RL - Other (Drought)

*-ARB is currently investigating if the Bakersfield-California Avenue December 17 and 18, 2013 PM10 data is going to be uploaded into AQS.  If

so, ARB would also need to flag these data points. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,

Shawn Ferreria

Senior Air Quality Specialist

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

1990 East Gettysburg Avenue

Fresno, CA 93726

Office: (559) 230-5823, Forecaster Desk: (559) 230-5826, Fax: (559) 230-6064