# Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management ®istrict's

Public Hearing Comments and Staff Responses for the: Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment And Reasonable Further Progress Plan

March 4, 2009YSAQMD - Public Comments and Staff Responses at the Public Hearing

Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Pfan Page 2 of 8 March 4. 2009 

### PUBLIC COMMENTS Public Hearing Comments (YSAOMD hearing, February 11, 2009) Comment #1— Christal Waters, Davis Bicvcles 

## Ms. Waters was thanlcful for the improvements in air quality to date. An increase in Spare The Air days is a discouragement to anybody who wants to get out and bicycle, for exercise, to wori< or do errands. By reducing the number of Spare The Air days, it removes an impediment and encourages people to use their bicycles for everyday activities. Ms. Waters urged the Board to pass the Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment Plan. In addition to health benefits from the Plan, federal rules require the Plan include reasonable further progress toward attainment in order to obtain federal funding for infrastructure. This includes funding for Complete Streets, Safe Streets, and Safe Routes to Schools, which we really support. The new federal administration has indicated its intent to heavily invest in infrastructure to pull the nation out of its economic doldrums. It is hoped that the passage of this Plan will help speed that public investment. Because the Plan has been developed in agreement with the Sacramento Blueprint, the State and the region stand ready to receive whatever additional federal funding might be coming its way. Response to Comment #1 — 

### Cornment noted.

Comment #2 - Jason Crow, SACOG 

## SACOG supports the adoption of the SIP documents. The SIP is especially important since all of the SACOG transportation plans and programs adopted for the region must demonstrate conformity. Without the SIP budgets, SACOG cannot demonstrate conformity and the region will enter into a conformity lapse. Basically, the conformity lapse means federal transportation dollars will be cut off and federal agencies cannot approve environmental documents. The potential impacts of not acting would be huge and SACOG feels that the timing is critical. SACOG anticipates the federal approval of the economic stimulus pacl<age and reauthorization of the federal transportation bill within this next year. The region does not want to jeopardize these two opportunities for funding and improving the region's transportation infrastructure. SACOG understands the important role of emissions coming from the transportation sector and SACOG has taken that into account in developing the region's transportation plan. This SIP is important to meet the clean air goals for the region as well as implementing the region's transportation plan and program. Response to Comment #2 — 

### Comment noted.

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Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan Paoe 3 of 8 Ma_rch 4. 2009
Comment #3 — Bill Mueller. Cleaner Air Partnershi 

## ln addition to being affiliated with Valley Vision, Mr. Mueller is affiliated with the Cleaner Air Partnership, which is an alliance between the business community, through the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and the environmental community, represented by Breathe CA of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails and Valley Vision. We support the Plan because there will be definite public health benefits. There will be economic impacts as well. Local businesses will experience local impacts as a result of further regulatory measures. Districts have to adopt all feasible measures. If the District does not implement all feasible measures, it could be sued. As part of this plan, a cost-benefit analysis has been performed and the proposed regulations are those that will accrue the greatest air quality benefit at the least cost. Approval of the plan is important because if it is not approved, the federal government will not fund transportation-related activity. This includes bilce paths, roads, etc. fVot approving the plan would also malce it difficult to receive federal stimulus dollars. We want to see that rules are balanced and can advance public liealth while having the least amount of economic impact. This plan is essential to long-term economic development and ensures that the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, which is based on the SACOG Blueprint and includes reductions in vehicle miles traveled, is implemented so that we grow responsibly.
Resaonse to Comment #3 — 

### Comment noted.

Comment #4 - Jane Hagedorn, Breathe California 

## Breathe California of Sacramento Emigrant Trails strongly supports adoption of the proposed SIP. The causal relationship between air pollution and lung and heart disease is clear. Breathe California has conducted seven studies specific to the Sacramento region identifying the heath effects of air pollution. The health issues are serious. The proposed SIP will ensure that the region will reduce emissions at the required minimum rate of 3% per year and meet the new 8-hour ozone standards by 2018. The result will be improved public health for all and particularly for the tens of thousands of children who suffer from asthma in the community. Although the region has made progress in reducing air pollution, the region will not attain the new health-based standards without new controls. The SIP also outlines new strategies that Breathe California strongly supports. Response to Comment #4 — 

### Comment noted.

Comment #5 — John Motsineer, Environmental Defense Fund 

## Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) thanks YSAQMD for their excellent presentation on the SIP. We strongly support the Board's adoption of the SIP. Adoption of the SIP is important because of issues such as increasing number of high temperature days, increasing vehicle miles traveled, and increasing population. Adoption is also

F:\PLANNING\SIP\8 Hour ozone plan\Final SIP & EIR\Submittal to ARB\YSAQMD hearing comments & responses.docxYSAQMD - Public Comments and Staff Responses at the Public Hearing

Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonabfe Further Progress Plan Page 4 of 8 March 4. 2009 

## important because there are penalties for not attaining the ozone standard. Ozone is a regional problem, and we believe this plan represents a shared commitment by all the local air districts. Response to Comrnent #5 — 

## Comment noted.

Comment #6 — Becl<v Wood. Teichert AeLzreRrates 

## Staff has done a wonderful job with the plan. We need this SIP and the associated conformity budget. With any plan such as this, opportunities exist to create an uneven playing field for businesses. There should be another rule adopted by the YSAQMD Board. The Sacramento and Placer air districts have agreed to adopt an asphalt plant rule and the YSAQMD has not, even though it has these sources. Under the all feasible measures requirement, such a rufe would be adopted anyway, but I would lil<e to see it be part of this Plan in order to I<eep a level playing field. Response to Comment #6: 

## Staff looked at proposing such a rule when we did our rule analysis for the plan. We found that all of our plants but one already liave low-NOx burners, so reductions from a rule would not be very substantial. However, it appears that technology has come a little furtlher than we expected for these sources. We will keep track of what the S1VIAQMD 

## does in regards to adopting o rule for this source category. Jf they adopt a rule, we will review the rule to see if adopting a similar rule in our district would allow us to get reductions in our district. !f so, we will bring a rule similar to what the SMAQMD 

## adopts to the YSAQMD 

## Board for approval so tliat everyone is on a level playing field.

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### Attachment A

Written Letters Supporting Plan Adoption

F:\PLANNING\SIP\8 Hour ozone plan\Final SIP & EIR\Submittal to ARB\YSAQMD hearing comments & responses.docxYSAQMD - Public Comments and Staff Responses at tfie Public Hearing

Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan Paqe 6 of 8 March 4 2009



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Yolo Solano Air Quality Maiiagement District 1947 Galileo Ct. Davis, CA 95616 

### RE: Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan (SIP) Davis Bicycles! (DB!) strongly supports adoption of the Sacramento Regional 8-k-lour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan (SIP). 

### DB!'s mission is to encourage and promote bicycling, increase safety, impr
- ove infrastructure, influence policy and advocate for a vital bicycle culture in Davis. Good air quality and bicycling go liand in liand. Bicyclists require good air quality. Increased use of bicycling reduces reliance on motor vehicles that contribute substantially to "Spare the Air" days during the Sacramento Region's hot sunimers. The proposed SIP ensures that the Sacramento Region will nieet tlle niinir

- num reduction rate of 3WO toward rneeting tlie new 8 iiour ozone standards by 2018. Adoption of tiie SIP is riecessary to receive federal transportation funds and otlier funds tfiat may be released as part of a federal econoniic stimulus pacicage. The Sacramento Area Council of Governments lias identified transportation control measures that will be implemented to 

### achieve air quality standards, iricluding a substantial amount of funding for pedestrian and bicycle improvernents. DB! urges tiie adoption of ttie SIP as proposed. Sincerely,

Leo Rainer President

Davis BicycleG! , www.davisbicycles.org , PU Bo;: ;-1

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### F:\PLANNING\SIP\8 Hour ozone plan\Final SIP & EIR\Submittal to ARB\YSAQMD hearing comments & responses.docxYSAQMD - Public Comments and Staff Responses at the Public Hearing

Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan Page 7 of 8 March 4. 2009

909 12" Strcet Sacramento, CA 95814 Pltonc: (9I6) 44d-i900 Fax: (91 G) , 144-6G61 E-inail: staffrt.sacbrcatltc.org www.sacbrcathe.org Wtivw.Sccnestnoking.orb wwtv.sacSTAND.org 

## February 11, 2009 

# BR.EATHE CALIFORNTfi. n;~S~ :rr;rrnc•

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## Mafit Rexroad, Chairman and Nlembers of the Board Yolo-Salano Air Quality Ntanagement District 1947 Galileo Couri', Suite 103 Davis, CA 95616 Boarcl of Directors 2008-2009 Joltn Lindow Pr esidetrt Jim Edelcn P► es idertt-Elect Ralpli Propper T •easttt
- er Rotii Abaclscrli lutr:redinte Past Presitlenl Robert Bemstein Norm Covell Patriciit Dean Tom Donnelly, MD Joyce Kelly-Reif Garry Maisel Stephanie Nticcitelli Dikna Proctor John Scambray Sue Sciiooley Jon Scliwarz Arif Seynl, MD Jean Slitttiv Suc Teranishi Earllldithycoinbe Janc Hagedom, CEO

13reat/te Califot•ttia of ! Sacranrentv-J:ttzigrrrrrt Ti•ails is tietficrrterl ta l:ealtli,p air and preventing Irrtig atzd otJter air -pnllutiorr rclatetl rliscases Gy partnering witlt yaut11, ativocati)tg prrfilie policy, suppnrtirrg afr pullrctinii researcli, arzrl educating tlre prrhlfc. 

## Breathe California of Sacramenfio Emigrant Trails strongly supports adoption of the proposed Federal Nonattainment 8- 1-lour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan (SIP). The causal relationship between lung and heart disease and air pollution is clear. In facfi BCSET has conducted seven sfiudies specif ic to our region identifying: *Effec

- 1•s of air pollufiion on mortality rates from ischemic heart disease and s

- I•roke in fhe Central t/alley. *Particulafie air pollufion and rate of hospitalizations. *Increased hospitalizations and emergency room visits of MediCal youth with asfihma during high ozone days. *Three studies on exposure to ultrafine particulates at a school sifie direcfily downwind of a densely trafficked urban corridor. As we speak we have fiwo new monitoring studies underway along both I5 and I99. The health issues are serious. The SIP as proposed will ensure that our region will reduce emissions at the required minimurrl rate of 3% per year and meet the new 8 hour ozone standards by 2018.

F:\PLANNING\SIP\8 Hour ozone plan\Final SIP & EIR\Submittal to ARB\YSAQMD hearing comments & responses.docxYSAQMD - Public Comrnents and Staff Responses at the Public Hearing

Sacramento Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan March 4. 2009

The result will be irnproved public heal t I
- i for all and particularly

- For the tens of thousands of children who suf fer from asthma in Northern Cal' rfornia.
A11 - l1ougli we liave rnade progress in reducing air pollu
- fiori we will not nttcnin new heali - h based standards without new controls. The SIP also autlines new strntegies including indirect source rules and i
- ree rnitigation strai
- egies tvliich we strongly support. Thank you for i - he opportunii
- y to i - es - I
- ify. We look forward to continuing our work in Northern California thai - is enabling us i
- o make rneesurable progress in cleaning up our air.

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