May 9, 2012

MEMORANDUM

To: Docket No. EPA–R09–OAR–2012–0194; FRL–9664–5; Approval and Promulgation of 

Implementation Plans; California; Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan 

Pesticide Element

From: Kerry Drake, Associate Director, Air Division, EPA-Region 9

Subject: Conference Call with Central Valley Air Quality Coalition

On May 1, 2012, Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 9, held a conference 

call with members of the Central Valley Air Quality Coalition to discuss a number of air qualityrelated issues including EPA’s April 24, 2012 proposed approval of revisions to the California 

Pesticide Element. Brent Newell (Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment) and Tracey 

Brieger (Californians for Pesticide Reform) noted our recent proposed approval and discussed 

the recent data that shows pesticide VOC emissions increased 25 percent from 2009 to 2010 and 

stated that this is a public health threat for the Valley. They request another meeting with 

Regional Administrator to specifically discuss the proposed action. Mr. Blumenfeld agreed to a 

follow up meeting.

A list of attendees to the conference call as well as the agenda for the call are attached.
Attendees – EPA/CVAQ Conference Call – May 1, 2012

EPA participants:

Jared Blumenfeld

Teddy Ryerson

Zoe Heller

Kerry Drake

Debbie Lowe Liang

CVAQ participants:

Kevin Hall, 

Elizabeth Jonasson 

Sarah Sharpe, 

Maricela Mares Alatorre, 

Dolores Weller

Tom Frantz, 

Brent Newall, 

Tracey Brieger, 

Adenike Adeyeye

Paul Cort, 

Chip Ashley
CVAQ Call with Jared Blumenfeld

May 1, 2012 | 4:15pm 

Call in #: 1 (866) 299-3188 | Code: 6649310785#

Facilitators: Kevin Hall, Sarah Sharpe

I. Introductions, updates, and goals (5 min)

Point person: Facilitator

a. Objectives: 

i. A clear understanding of the goals for the monthly calls.

1. During the calls, CVAQ will present information items and action 

items to Jared. Information items are updates on issues of concern 

for CVAQ members, while action items include a specific ask of 

Jared and EPA staff. 

ii. Offering feedback or updates on recent meetings.

II. Action Item: Monitoring (10 min)

Point person: Kevin Hall

a. Key issues:

i. Without the Arvin design value monitor, the District cannot know whether 

they’ve reached attainment of either the 1-hour and 8-hour ozone 

standards. 

ii. Bakersfield only has one working PM2.5 monitor. One monitor (Golden 

State Hwy) was moved 2 years ago but hasn’t been set up at its new site, 

and one monitor (Planz) was down last winter.

iii. Monitors in the Valley often malfunction when they are needed most. An 

audit of the District and CARB monitors was recently completed, and will 

be released publicly in a few months. 

b. Objectives: 

i. Establishing a timeline for replacement of the Arvin monitor and the 

Bakersfield (Golden State Hwy/California) PM2.5 monitor. 

ii. Early EPA staff review of the audit, its recommendations, and 

implementation of recommended improvements.

III. Information Item: Pesticide VOCs regulation (5 min) 

Point people: Tracey Brieger, Brent Newell 

a. Key issues: California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) committed to 

reducing emissions to 20% below 1990 levels, but reversed that commitment and 

only requires Valley to reduce pesticide VOC emissions to 12% below 1990 

levels. On April 24, 2012, EPA published a proposed approval of DPR’s revised 

regulation. 

b. Objective: 

i. A meeting with Jared to specifically discuss the proposed action. 

IV. Information Item: 1 hour ozone plan (5 min)

Point person: Paul Cort
a. Key issue: EPA remanded the Valley Air District and South Coast’s 1 hour ozone 

plans, but has not yet required the Valley Air District or South Coast to submit 

new plans for approval. 

b. Objectives: 

i. Discussing the deadline for a 1 hour ozone plan from the District and the 

District’s 1 hour ozone attainment deadline. 

ii. Discussing how transportation control measures will be handled in the 

new 1 hour ozone plans. 

V. Questions and closing (5 min) 

Point person: Facilitator 

a. Objectives: 

i. Ask relevant follow-up questions.

ii. Review agreements, actions to be taken, and timelines.

iii. Flag action and information items for upcoming calls.