BART Exemption Modeling 

of Sources in Georgia

January 2007 

Prepared For: 

VISTAS 

526 Forest Parkway, Suite F 

Forest Park, GA 30297 

Submitted By: 

TRC Environmental Corporation 

650 Suffolk Street, Wannalancit Mills 

Lowell, MA 01854 
i

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

1. INTRODUCTION 1-1

2. SOURCE PARAMETERS 2-1

3. GEOPHYSICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL DATA 3-1

3.1 Modeling Domain, Terrain, and Class I Areas 3-1

3.2 Land Use 3-3

3.3 Meteorological Data Base 3-6

3.4 Air Quality Monitoring Data 3-6

4. RESULTS 4-1

5. REFERENCES 5-1

LIST OF TABLES 

Page 

Table 2-1a. Brunswick Mill: Source Parameters and Emissions 2-3

Table 2-1b. Brunswick Mill: Particle Speciation 2-3

Table 2-2a. Tronox: Source Parameters and Emissions 2-4

Table 2-2b. Tronox: Particle Speciation 2-4

Table 2-3a. Augusta Plant: Point Source Parameters and Emissions 2-5

Table 2-3b. Augusta Plant: Particel Speciation 2-5

Table 2-4a. PCA Valdosta Mill: Source Parameters and Emissions 2-6

Table 2-4b. PCA Valdosta Mill: Particle Speciation 2-6

Table 2-5a. Interstate Paper, LLC: Source Parameters and Emissions 2-7

Table 2-5b. Interstate Paper, LLC: Particle Speciation 2-7

Table 2-6a. DSM Chemicals North: Source Parameters and Emissions 2-8

Table 2-6b. DSM Chemicals North: Particle Speciation 2-8

Table 2-7a. Chemical Products Corporation: Source Parameters and Emissions ERROR! BOOKMARK 

Table 4-1a. Summary of Visibility Results for Brunswick Mill – Refined Run (4-km grid) 4-3
ii 

Table 4-1b. Visibility Results – 8 Highest Values for Brunswick Mill – Refined Run 

(4-km grid) 4-3

Table 4-2. Summary of Visibility Results for Tronox – Screening Run (12-km grid) 4-4

Table 4-3. Summary of Visibility Results for Augusta Plant – Screening Run (12-km grid) 4-4

Table 4-4a. Summary of Visibility Results for Pca Valdosta Mill - Screening Run 

(12-km grid) 4-5

Table 4-4b. Summary of Visibility Results for PCA Valdosta Mill - Refined Run (4-km grid) 4-5

Table 4-4c. Visibility Results – 8 Highest Values For PCA Valdosta Mill - Refined Run 

(4-km grid) 4-5

Table 4-5a. Summary of Visibility Results for Interstate Paper, LLC – Refined Run 

(4-km grid) 4-6

Table 4-5b. Visibility Results – 8 Highest Values For Interstate Paper, LLC – Refined Run 

(4-km grid) 4-6

Table 4-6. Summary of Visibility Results for DSM Chemicals North – Screening Run 

(12-km grid) 4-7

Table 4-7. Monthly F(RH) Values Based on the Centroid of the Area, for Visibility 

Method 6 Applications 4-7

LIST OF FIGURES 

Page 

Figure 3-1. Terrain elevations for the CALMET 12-km regional domain. The CALPUFF 

computational subdomains, the Class I areas and the locations of Georgia 

facilities are also shown. 3-2

Figure 3-2. Terrain elevations for the CALMET/CALPUFF Domain 4. The Class I areas and 

the sites of Georgia facilities are also shown. 3-4

Figure 3-3. Land use for the CALMET/CALPUFF Domain 4. The Class I areas and the sites 

for the Georgia facilities are also shown 3-5

Figure 3-4. Plot of MM5 grid and surface, precipitation, buoy, and upper air stations for the 

CALMET/CALPUFF Subregional Domain 4 3-7

Figure 3-5. Plot of ozone stations used for the CALPUFF simulations. The Class I areas and 

the sites of the Georgia facilities are also shown. 3-8
Introduction 1-1 

1. INTRODUCTION 

TRC Environmental Corporation, on behalf of VISTAS has been retained to conduct Best 

Available Retrofit Technology (BART) exemption modeling for a number of facilities in the 

southeastern United States. This report documents the results of the modeling simulations 

conducted in accordance with the VISTAS BART Protocol Revision 3.2 dated August 31, 2006 

(VISTAS, 2006) for emissions from seven BART-eligible facilities in Georgia. 

The VISTAS BART protocol is based on the use of the CALMET and CALPUFF models (Scire 

et al., 2000a, 2000b). The modeling approach uses 12-km VISTAS regional CALMET 

meteorological datasets for facilities located more than 50-km from the closest Class I area for 

screening simulations of predicted impacts. The highest impact during the three year simulation 

period is compared to a 0.5 deciview threshold. According to the VISTAS protocol, sources with 

impacts less than this threshold are not subject to BART control. For sources failing the screen by 

a small margin, or those located within 50 km of the closest Class I area, TRC performed 

modeling using the refined 4-km subregional CALMET Domain 4 datasets. The impacts on the 

98th percentile day (i.e., 8th highest within a year) predicted by the refined simulations were 

compared to the 0.5 deciview threshold. Facilities with a maximum 98th percentile impact below 

0.5 deciview were determined to be exempt from BART controls 

The modeling uses the VISTAS version of the CALPUFF modeling system (CALMET Version 

5.723 and CALPUFF Version 5.754) available from the TRC Atmospheric Studies Group web 

site (http://www.src.com). 
Source Parameters 2-1 

2. SOURCE PARAMETERS 

VISTAS BART exemption modeling was performed for seven facilities in Georgia. These 

sources are: (1) Brunswick Mill, (2) Tronox, (3) Augusta Plant, (4) PCA Valdosta Mill, (5) 

Interstate Paper, LLC, (6) DSM Chemicals North, and (7) Chemical Products Corp. Five of these 

facilities were modeled using the screening 12-km regional VISTAS CALMET domain with 

CALPUFF computational subdomains as shown in Figure 3-1. Two facilities (Brunswick Mill 

and Interstate Paper, LLC) were modeled using the 4-km subregional Domain 4 since their 

distance to the closest Class I Area (Wolf Island) is less than 50 km. PCA Valdosta Mill facility 

was first modeled using the 12-km domain as a screening run, and then using the 4-km domain as 

a refined run. Locations of the seven Georgia facilities are shown in Figures 3-1 through 3-3. 

Source parameters and emissions rates as provided by the State of Georgia for each of the 

facilities used in the CALPUFF simulations are shown in Tables 2-1a through 2-7a. Tables 2-1b 

through 2-7b show the particle speciation used in the CALPUFF simulations. In the tables, the 

column heading PM10 includes all PM mass (condensable plus filterable) emitted as particulate 

matter less than 10 micrometers (μm) in diameter. The emissions labeled as PM2.5 are a subset of 

the PM10 composed of particles less than 2.5 μm in diameter. All condensable emissions are 

assumed to be in the PM2.5 size range. The PM10 and PM2.5 categories include H2SO4 emissions, 

which in the model are treated as primary sulfate (SO4). The emissions of H2SO4 are adjusted by 

the ratio of molecular weights (96/98) to obtain the emissions as SO4 which is entered into the 

model. 

The PM10 size distribution was represented in the modeling as six explicit size ranges. The 

particle sizes modeled were as 8.0 μm diameter size particles (PM800) reflecting the size bin 

6-10 μm, 4.25 μm diameter particles (PM425) for the size bin 2.5-6 μm, 1.875 μm particles 

(PM187) for the size bin 1.25-2.5 μm, 1.125 μm particles (PM112) for the size bin 1.00-1.25 μm, 

0.8125 μm particles (PM081) for the size bin 0.625-1.00 μm, and 0.5625 μm (PM056) for the size 

range 0.500-0.625 μm. PM056 was also used for all particles less than 0.5 μm diameter. 

Emissions of particulate matter in the 2.5-10 μm diameter size range define “coarse particulate 

matter”. Fine particles (soil) were defined using the particle size categories of PM187, PM112, 

PM081, and PM056 which is particulate matter with a size of 2.5 μm diameters or less. For 

sources with no speciation (emissions given as PM10 only) it was conservatively assumed that all 

the particulate emissions were condensable which have higher extinction efficiency than either 

soil or coarse particulate matter. Condensable emissions were assumed to be evenly distributed 

across the smallest two size categories modeled (i.e. 50 percent in PM081 and 50 percent in 

PM056). 

For the Brunswick Mill facility, Tables 2-1a and 2-1b show source parameters, emissions and 

particle speciation data extracted from the “BART Exemption Protocol Brunswick.doc” 

document, Tables 1 and 2. For three of the four stacks, PM distribution was provided. For one of 

the stacks (MG04A), the PM distribution was not provided, so PM10 emissions were equally 

divided between the two size categories of OC for modeling purposes. 
Source Parameters 2-2 

For the Tronox facility, Tables 2-2a and 2-2b show source parameters, emissions and particle 

speciation data obtained from the “Tronox Emission data.pdf” document. For one of the stacks 

(1024), PM10 emissions were equally divided between the two size categories of OC for modeling 

purposes. All PM emissions from the second stack (1356) compose of H2SO4 emissions. 

For the Augusta Plant, Table 2-3a show source parameters and emissions obtained from the 

“Prayon BART Modeling Protocolrev.doc”, Table 2-1. The PM speciation was not provided. 

Therefore, All PM10 emissions were equally divided between the two size categories of OC 

(Table 2-3b). 

For the PCA Valdosta Mill, Tables 2-4a and 2-4b show source parameters, emissions and particle 

speciation data obtained from the “PCA Table 3_1 Emission Rates.pdf” document. The PM 

distribution for all four stacks was extracted from the information provided in this document. 

For the Interstate Paper, LLC, Table 2-5a show source parameters and emissions obtained from 

the “EPD BART Emissions.xls” file. The PM speciation was not provided. Therefore, All PM10

emissions were equally divided between the two size categories of OC (Table 2-5b). 

For DSM Chemicals North, Table 2-6a show source parameters and emissions obtained from the 

“DSM Chemicals Emissions Stack Data revisedp2.xls” document. The PM speciation was not 

provided. Therefore, All PM10 emissions were equally divided between the two size categories of 

OC (Table 2-6b). 

For Chemical Products Corp, Table 2-7a show source parameters and emissions obtained from 

the “CPCBART VISTAS modeling emissionsa.xls” file. 
Source Parameters 2-3 

Table 2-1a. Brunswick Mill: Source Parameters and Emissions1

Lambert Conformal 

Stack Coordinates 

ID # LCC East LCC North 

Stack 

Height 

Base 

Elevation Diameter Gas Exit Velocity 

Stack 

Gas 

Exit 

Temp. 

SO2

Emissions 

H2SO4

Emissions2

NOx

Emissions 

PM

Emis

 km km m m m m/s K g/s g/s g/s g

R401A 1470.759 -853.324 82.90 1.50 3.95 8.20 474.00 3.8800 0.2204 10.4000 2.6R402A 1470.762 -853.334 82.90 1.50 3.95 8.20 474.00 3.8800 0.2204 10.4000 2.6

MG04A 1470.876 -853.572 19.80 1.50 3.66 14.33 339.00 - - - 0.1

R403A 1470.757 -853.315 80.50 1.50 1.04 18.60 350.00 0.1600 - 0.3500 2.1

Table 2-1b. Brunswick Mill: Particle Speciation1

Particle speciation Condensable Filterable Stack 

ID # condensable 

PM10

filterable 

PM10

organic 

condensable (OC) 

inorganic 

condensable H2SO4 COARSE Soil 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

0.625

-1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

M4=0.48

SD4=2.0

μm 

6-10 

μm 

2.5-6 

μm 

1.25-

2.5 

μm 

1.0-

1.25 

μm 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

% % g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s 

R401A 12.0 88.0 0.0441 0.0441 - - 0.2204 0.3882 0.6215 0.5138 0.1398 0.2581 0.3269 0R402A 12.0 88.0 0.0441 0.0441 - - 0.2204 0.3882 0.6215 0.5138 0.1398 0.2581 0.3269 0

MG04A 100.0 0.0 0.0555 0.0555 - - - - - - - - - 

R403A 16.0 84.0 0.1680 0.1680 - - - 0.0769 0.1231 0.6251 0.1699 0.3139 0.3977 0

1 Emission and speciation data extracted and obtained from Tables 1 and 2 of the “BART Exemption Protocol Brunswick.doc” document. 2 H2SO4 emissions are entered in CALPUFF as SO4 i.e., weighted by ratio of molecular weights (96/98). 3 PM10 emission rate includes filterable and condensable emissions. The condensable component includes H2SO4 emissions. 4 M and SD stand for Geometric Mass Mean Diameter and Geometric Standard Deviation. These are the parameters used to calculate the (SO4) partic
Source Parameters 2-4 

Table 2-2a. Tronox: Source Parameters and Emissions1

Lambert Conformal 

Stack Coordinates 

ID # LCC East LCC North 

Stack 

Height 

Base 

Elevation Diameter Gas Exit Velocity 

Stack 

Gas 

Exit 

Temp. 

SO2

Emissions 

H2SO4

Emissions2

NOx

Emissions 

PM

Emis

 km km m m m m/s K g/s g/s g/s g

1024 1499.340 -745.631 18.29 3.00 0.30 7.62 297.04 - - - 0.11356 1499.580 -745.337 45.72 3.00 1.68 9.45 350.37 18.9000 0.7100 0.8200 0.7

Table 2-2b. Tronox: Particle Speciation1

Particle speciation Condensable Filterable Stack 

ID # condensable 

PM10

filterable 

PM10

organic 

condensable (OC) 

inorganic 

condensable H2SO4 COARSE Soil 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

0.625

-1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

M4=0.48

SD4=2.0

μm 

6-10 

μm 

2.5-6 

μm 

1.25-

2.5 

μm 

1.0-

1.25 

μm 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

% % g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s 

1024 100.0 0.0 0.0600 0.0600 - - - - - - - - - 1356 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

1 Emission data extracted from “Tronox Emission data.pdf” document. The PM speciation was not provided by the state. All PM10 - H2SO4 emissi

the two size categories of OC. This is a conservative approach since organic condensables have an extinction efficiency of 4 m2/g. 

2 H2SO4 emissions are entered in CALPUFF as SO4 i.e., weighted by ratio of molecular weights (96/98). 3 PM10 emission rate includes filterable and condensable emissions. The condensable component includes H2SO4 emissions. 4 M and SD stand for Geometric Mass Mean Diameter and Geometric Standard Deviation. These are the parameters used to calculate the (SO4) partic
Source Parameters 2-5 

Table 2-3a. Augusta Plant: Point Source Parameters and Emissions1

Lambert Conformal 

Stack Coordinates 

ID # LCC East LCC North 

Stack 

Height 

Base 

Elevation Diameter Gas Exit Velocity 

Stack 

Gas 

Exit 

Temp. 

SO2

Emissions 

H2SO4

Emissions2

NOx

Emissions 

PM

Emis

 km km m m m m/s K g/s g/s g/s g

S201 1386.472 -617.364 2.44 61.87 0.81 4.57 353.15 - - - 1.2S304 1386.472 -617.364 5.49 71.02 0.25 16.00 366.48 - - 0.0315 0.0S306 1386.472 -617.364 6.86 71.02 0.25 16.00 310.93 - - - 0.0S305 1386.472 -617.364 6.63 71.02 0.36 18.90 405.37 - - 0.0328 0.0S307 1386.472 -617.364 6.86 71.02 0.25 16.00 298.15 - - - 0.0

Table 2-3b. Augusta Plant: Particle Speciation1

Particle speciation Condensable Filterable Stack 

ID # condensable 

PM10

filterable 

PM10

organic 

condensable (OC) 

inorganic 

condensable H2SO4 COARSE Soil 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

0.625

-1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

M4=0.48

SD4=2.0

μm 

6-10 

μm 

2.5-6 

μm 

1.25-

2.5 

μm 

1.0-

1.25 

μm 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

% % g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s 

S201 100.0 0.0 0.6300 0.6300 - - - - - - - - - S304 100.0 0.0 0.0189 0.0189 - - - - - - - - - S306 100.0 0.0 0.0183 0.0183 - - - - - - - - - S305 100.0 0.0 0.0321 0.0321 - - - - - - - - - S307 100.0 0.0 0.0183 0.0183 - - - - - - - - - 

1 Emission data extracted from Table 2-1 the “Prayon BART Modeling Protocolrev.doc” document. The PM speciation was not provided by the s

were equally divided between the two size categories of OC. This is a conservative approach since organic condensables have an extinction efficien

2 H2SO4 emissions are entered in CALPUFF as SO4 i.e., weighted by ratio of molecular weights (96/98). 3 PM10 emission rate includes filterable and condensable emissions. The condensable component includes H2SO4 emissions. 4 M and SD stand for Geometric Mass Mean Diameter and Geometric Standard Deviation. These are the parameters used to calculate the (SO4) partic
Source Parameters 2-6 

Table 2-4a. PCA Valdosta Mill: Source Parameters and Emissions1

Lambert Conformal 

Stack Coordinates 

ID # LCC East LCC North 

Stack 

Height 

Base 

Elevation Diameter Gas Exit Velocity 

Stack 

Gas 

Exit 

Temp. 

SO2

Emissions 

H2SO4

Emissions2

NOx

Emissions 

PM

Emis

 km km m m m m/s K g/s g/s g/s g

CSS 1310.712 -933.115 61.26 61.00 3.05 14.10 338.00 12.4500 - 11.3500 5.7

3RFS 1310.769 -933.133 55.17 61.00 2.13 20.71 395.00 14.2600 - 5.1100 2.1

3SDTS 1310.776 -933.163 33.53 61.00 1.22 9.31 328.00 0.0600 - - 0.2

SLAKER 1310.877 -933.186 27.43 61.00 0.61 7.34 311.00 - - - 0.1

Table 2-4b. PCA Valdosta Mill: Particle Speciation1

Particle speciation Condensable Filterable Stack 

ID # condensable 

PM10

filterable 

PM10

organic 

condensable (OC) 

inorganic 

condensable H2SO4 COARSE Soil 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

0.625

-1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

M4=0.48

SD4=2.0

μm 

6-10 

μm 

2.5-6 

μm 

1.25-

2.5 

μm 

1.0-

1.25 

μm 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

% % g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s 

CSS 16.1 83.9 0.4656 0.4656 - - - - - 1.8209 0.4950 0.9142 1.1582 0

3RFS 59.1 40.9 0.6432 0.6432 - - - 0.0907 0.1445 0.2675 0.0727 0.1343 0.1701 0

3SDTS 0.0 100.0 - - - - - - - 0.0913 0.0248 0.0458 0.0581 

SLAKER 0.0 100.0 - - - - - 0.0012 0.0018 0.0626 0.0170 0.0314 0.0398 

1 Emission and speciation data extracted and obtained from “PCA Table 3_1 Emission Rates.pdf” document. 2 H2SO4 emissions are entered in CALPUFF as SO4 i.e., weighted by ratio of molecular weights (96/98). 3 PM10 emission rate includes filterable and condensable emissions. The condensable component includes H2SO4 emissions. 4 M and SD stand for Geometric Mass Mean Diameter and Geometric Standard Deviation. These are the parameters used to calculate the (SO4) partic
Source Parameters 2-7 

Table 2-5a. Interstate Paper, LLC: Source Parameters and Emissions1

Lambert Conformal 

Stack Coordinates 

ID # LCC East LCC North 

Stack 

Height 

Base 

Elevation Diameter Gas Exit Velocity 

Stack 

Gas 

Exit 

Temp. 

SO2

Emissions 

H2SO4

Emissions2

NOx

Emissions 

PM

Emis

 km km m m m m/s K g/s g/s g/s g

LK 1470.714 -788.897 15.24 3.60 1.52 4.96 342.09 0.1600 - 2.2000 0.7

RB 1470.714 -789.026 46.04 4.20 2.74 13.73 353.37 0.1200 - 8.8000 5.5

Table 2-5b. Interstate Paper, LLC: Particle Speciation1

Particle speciation Condensable Filterable Stack 

ID # condensable 

PM10

filterable 

PM10

organic 

condensable (OC) 

inorganic 

condensable H2SO4 COARSE Soil 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

0.625

-1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

M4=0.48

SD4=2.0

μm 

6-10 

μm 

2.5-6 

μm 

1.25-

2.5 

μm 

1.0-

1.25 

μm 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

% % g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s 

LK 100.0 0.0 0.3700 0.3700 - - - - - - - - - 

RB 100.0 0.0 2.7500 2.7500 - - - - - - - - - 

1 Stack parameters and emission data obtained from “EPD BART Emissions.xls” file. The PM speciation was not provided by the state. All PM10 - H

between the two size categories of OC. This is a conservative approach since organic condensables have an extinction efficiency of 4 m2/g. 

2 H2SO4 emissions are entered in CALPUFF as SO4 i.e., weighted by ratio of molecular weights (96/98). 3 PM10 emission rate includes filterable and condensable emissions. The condensable component includes H2SO4 emissions. 4 M and SD stand for Geometric Mass Mean Diameter and Geometric Standard Deviation. These are the parameters used to calculate the (SO4) partic
Source Parameters 2-8 

Table 2-6a. DSM Chemicals North: Source Parameters and Emissions1

Lambert Conformal 

Stack Coordinates 

ID # LCC East LCC North 

Stack 

Height 

Base 

Elevation Diameter Gas Exit Velocity 

Stack 

Gas 

Exit 

Temp. 

SO2

Emissions 

H2SO4

Emissions2

NOx

Emissions 

PM

Emis

 km km m m m m/s K g/s g/s g/s g

S014 1390.356 -611.414 67.06 40.31 3.58 15.15 422.04 27.8241 - 11.0933 2.4S020 1390.356 -611.414 24.38 38.10 1.37 15.09 449.82 - - 2.6581 

Table 2-6b. DSM Chemicals North: Particle Speciation1

Particle speciation Condensable Filterable Stack 

ID # condensable 

PM10

filterable 

PM10

organic 

condensable (OC) 

inorganic 

condensable H2SO4 COARSE Soil 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

0.625

-1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

M4=0.48

SD4=2.0

μm 

6-10 

μm 

2.5-6 

μm 

1.25-

2.5 

μm 

1.0-

1.25 

μm 

0.625-

1.0 

μm 

0.5-

0.625 

μm 

% % g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s g/s 

S014 100.0 0.0 1.2084 1.2084 - - - - - - - - - S020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

1 Emission data extracted from the “DSM Chemicals Emissions Stack Data revisedp2.xls” document. The PM speciation was not provided by the sta

equally divided between the two size categories of OC. This is a conservative approach since organic condensables have an extinction efficiency of 

2 H2SO4 emissions are entered in CALPUFF as SO4 i.e., weighted by ratio of molecular weights (96/98). 3 PM10 emission rate includes filterable and condensable emissions. The condensable component includes H2SO4 emissions. 4 M and SD stand for Geometric Mass Mean Diameter and Geometric Standard Deviation. These are the parameters used to calculate the (SO4) partic
Source Parameters 2-9 
Geophysical and Meteorological Data 3-1 

3. GEOPHYSICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL DATA 

3.1 Modeling Domain, Terrain, and Class I Areas 

Gridded terrain elevations for the 12-km regional VISTAS modeling domain are derived from 

GTOPO30, a global digital elevation model (DEM) with a horizontal grid spacing of 30 arc 

seconds (approximately 1 kilometer). GTOPO30 is a global data set covering the full extent of 

latitude from 90 degrees south to 90 degrees north, and the full extent of longitude from 180 

degrees west to 180 degrees east, developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The 

horizontal grid spacing is 30-arc seconds, resulting in a DEM having dimensions of 21,600 rows 

and 43,200 columns. The horizontal coordinate system is decimal degrees of latitude and 

longitude referenced to WGS84. The vertical units represent elevation in meters above mean sea 

level. GTOPO30 has been divided into 33 smaller pieces, or tiles. Two of these tiles cover 

regional VISTAS domain: W100N40 and W100N90. 

Gridded terrain elevations for the 4-km modeling VISTAS Domain 4 are derived from 

3 arc-second DEMs produced by the USGS. Data are provided in files covering 1-degree by 

1-degree blocks of latitude and longitude. The 1-degree DEMs are produced by the Defense 

Mapping Agency using cartographic and photographic sources. USGS 1:250,000 scale 

topographic maps are the primary source of 1-degree DEMs. One-degree DEM data consists of 

an array of 1201 by 1201 elevations referenced on the geographic (latitude/ longitude) coordinate 

system of the World Geodetic System 1972 Datum. Elevations are in meters relative to mean sea 

level, and the spacing of the elevations along each profile is 3 arc-seconds, which corresponds to 

a spacing of approximately 90 meters. 

The VISTAS CALMET 12-km regional domain was used in CALPUFF modeling and BART 

visibility analysis for the following facilities: Tronox, Augusta Plant, PCA Valdosta Mill, DSM 

Chemicals North, and Chemical Products Corp. The CALPUFF computational subdomain was 

chosen to cover all Class I areas that fall into the 300 km circle around the GA sources, as well as 

a 50 km buffer zone from these Class I areas and Georgia facilities. The subdomain extends at 

least 50 km from the Class I areas and all of the facilities in order to provide an adequate buffer 

zone at the boundaries, and to allow the effects of flow curvature and possible small-scale 

recirculation to be evaluated. 

Figure 3-1 shows contours of the terrain averaged to 12 km grid cells on the VISTAS 12-km 

regional domain. Blue rectangle depicts the area of the CALPUFF computational subdomain 

covering 720 km by 948 km or 60x79 grid cells. This subdomain was used for modeling Tronox, 

Augusta Plant, PCA Valdosta Mill, DSM Chemicals North facilities. Class I areas included in this 

computational subdomain and analysis are: Cape Romain, Chassahowitzka, Cohutta, Great 

Smoky Mountains, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, Linville Gorge, Okefenokee, Shining Rock, St. 

Marks, and Wolf Island. For the Chemical Products Corp, Sipsey is an additional Class I area that 

is located within the 300 km from the facility. For this facility, computational domain was 
Geophysical and Meteorological Data 3-2 

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

LCC East (km)

-1600

-1400

-1200

-1000

-800

-600

-400

-200

0

200

400

L

C

C

North (km)

LCC Origin: 40.0 N, 97.0 W

Standard Parallels: 33.0 N, 45.0 N

Datum: NWS-84

Elevation

(meters)

AL GA

TN

SC

NC

VA

FL

KY

Cape Romain

Chassahowitzka

Cohutta

Great Smoky Mountains

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock

Linville Gorge

Okefenokee

Shining Rock

Sipsey

St Marks

Wolf Island

-25

0.1

50

100

150

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

GA facility

CALPUFF 

computational domain

Figure 3-1. Terrain elevations for the CALMET 12-km Regional Domain. The CALPUFF 

computational subdomains, the Class I areas and the locations of Georgia facilities are 

also shown. 
Geophysical and Meteorological Data 3-3 

extended to the west as shown by the purple line in Figure 3-1. This computational domain covers 

888 km by 948 km or 74x79 grid cells. A Lambert Conformal Projection is used with an origin of 

40.0N, 97.0W and standard parallels at 33N and 45N. The datum used is NWS-84. 

The subregional VISTAS 4-km CALMET Domain 4 was used in CALPUFF modeling and 

BART visibility analysis for Brunswick Mill, Interstate Paper, LLC and PCA Valdosta Mill 

sources. VISTAS Domain 4 was designed for the refined modeling of the Georgia, South 

Carolina and Alabama sources. It covers entire states of Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, 

all Class I areas that are within 300 km from any of the sources in GA, SC and AL, as well as a 

50 km buffer zone from these Class I areas and GA, SC and AL facilities. Domain 4 covers an 

area of 992 km by 1028 km. The CALMET simulations use a resolution of 4 km in the horizontal 

resulting in 248x257 grid cells. Figure 3-2 shows terrain contours for Domain 4 averaged to 4 km 

grid cells, seven Georgia sources modeled, and Class I areas within the Domain 4. The 

CALPUFF computational domain is the same as the CALMET Domain 4. 

3.2 Land Use 

The USGS Land Use data within the CALMET regional and subregional domains have been used 

to produce a gridded field of dominant land use categories. The land use data were obtained in 

Composite Theme Grid format (CTG) from the USGS, with a resolution of 200 m. For the 

portions of the domains where CTG data were missing, North America USGS land use/land cover 

data have been used. The North America land cover data base is one portion of a global land 

cover characteristics data base that was developed on a continent-by-continent basis with 1-km 

nominal spatial resolution. 

Land use data were processed to produce a 12 km and a 4 km resolution gridded field of 

fractional land use categories for the regional domain and the subregional Domain 4, respectively. 

The 37 USGS land use categories were then mapped into 14 CALMET land use categories. 

Surface properties such as albedo, Bowen ratio, roughness length, and leaf area index were 

computed proportionally to the fractional land use. The USGS land use categories and their 

associated geophysical parameters are described in Scire et al. (2000a). Figure 3-3 shows the 

dominant land use categories for each 4-km CALMET grid cell in modeling Domain 4. 
Geophysical and Meteorological Data 3-4 

700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

LCC East (km)

-1200

-1100

-1000

-900

-800

-700

-600

-500

-400

-300

-200

L

C

C

North (km)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

LCC Origin: 40.0 N, 97.0 W

Standard Parallels: 33.0 N, 45.0 N

Datum: NWS-84

Elevation

(meters)

FL

GA

TN

SC

NC

VA

KY

MS AL

Chassahowitzka

St Marks

Okefenokee

Wolf Island

Cape Romain

Sipsey

Cohutta

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrok

Great Smoky Mountains

Shining Rock

Linville Gorge

-25

0.1

50

100

150

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

Figure 3-2. Terrain elevations for the CALMET/CALPUFF Domain 4. The Class I areas and the sites 

of Georgia facilities are also shown. 
Geophysical and Meteorological Data 3-5 

700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

LCC East (km)

-1200

-1100

-1000

-900

-800

-700

-600

-500

-400

-300

-200

LC

C

North (km)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

LCC Origin: 40.0 N, 97.0 W

Standard Parallels: 33.0 N, 45.0 N

Datum: NWS-84

FL

GA

TN

SC

NC

VA

KY

MS AL

Chassahowitzka

St Marks

Okefenokee

Wolf Island

Cape Romain

Sipsey

Cohutta

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrok

Great Smoky Mountains

Shining Rock

Linville Gorge

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

Urban/

built-up land

Agricultural

land

Rangeland

Forest land

Water

Wetland

Barren land

Tundra

Snow / Ice

Figure 3-3. Land Use for the CALMET/ CALPUFF Domain 4. The Class I areas and the sites for the 

Georgia facilities are also shown. 
Geophysical and Meteorological Data 3-6 

3.3 Meteorological Data Base 

The meteorological data used include the three dimensional gridded model output from the Fifth 

Generation Penn State/NCAR MM5 (Grell 1995) provided by VISTAS. VISTAS has assembled 

three years of MM5 meteorological data for the regional CALPUFF modeling. These MM5 

datasets have been developed by EPA for 2001, VISTAS for 2002 and Midwest Regional 

Planning Organization (RPO) for 2003. The MM5 gridded data set consists of hourly values of 

wind speed, wind direction, temperature and pressure on a grid covering the VISTAS regional 

12-km CALMET domain and VISTAS subregional 4-km CALMET Domain 4. The MM5 data 

was run at a horizontal spatial resolution of 12 km for 2001 and 2002 and 36-km for 2003. 

For the regional 12-km domain, CALMET runs have been made in the no-observational mode. 

For the subregional 4-km Domain 4, available surface, upper air and precipitation stations were 

also included in the CALMET simulations along with the gridded MM5 data. Figure 3-4 shows a 

plot of the MM5 grid along with the surface, precipitation, buoys and upper air stations used in 

the CALMET simulations for Domain 4. 

3.4 Air Quality Monitoring Data 

CALPUFF uses hourly ozone concentration measurements in the chemical transformation rates 

(SO2 to SO4, NOx to HNO3/NO3). The ambient ozone measurements are used in determining SO2

loss rates due to chemical transformation to sulfate and in determining NOx loss rates to nitrate. 

Ambient ozone monitoring data from the U.S. EPA AIRS and CASTNET networks were used to 

develop the hourly ozone monitoring data file (OZONE.DAT). Figure 3-5 provides a plot of 

available ozone monitoring stations that were used for the CALPUFF modeling. 

For the base case simulations, a constant ammonia concentration of 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) 

was assumed as recommended by the Interagency Workgroup on Air Quality Modeling 

(IWAQM, 1998) for forested Class I areas. In this application of the model, the Ammonia 

Limiting Method (ALM) was not used. 
Geophysical and Meteorological Data 3-7 

700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

LCC East (km)

-1200

-1100

-1000

-900

-800

-700

-600

-500

-400

-300

-200

L

C

C

North (km)

722014

722017

722018

722040

722045

722046

722050

722053

722055

722056

722057

722060

722065

722066

722067

722068

722069

722070

722080

722085

722090

722110

722119

722120

722123

722130

722134

722135

722136

722137

722140

722146

722150

722154

722156

722160

722166

722170 722175

722176

722180

722181

722185

722190

722195

722196

722197

722200

722210

722212

722213

722215

722220 722223 722224

722225

722226

722230722235

722245

722246

722250

722255

722260

722265

722267

722269 722268

722270

722275 722276

722279

722280

722284

722285

722286

722287

722300

722320

722340

722345

722347

722348

723030

723034 723035

723048

723055

723060

723066

723068

723100 723104723105

723106

723108

723109

723110

723115

723116

723117

723118

723119

723120

723124

723125

723140

723143

723144

723145

723146

723147

723148

723150

723165 723170 723174

723177

723180

723183 723193

723194

723200

723230 723235

723240

723246

723270 723265 723260

723273

723306

723307

723320

723346

724008

724056

724058

724106 724107

724113

724116

724117

724118

724236 724125

724237 724238

724243

724350

745985

746710

746716

746720

746930

746935

746936

746939

747685 747686

747688

747750

747760

747770

747804

747810

747900 747910

747915

747930

747946

747950

994010

994230

994380

994410

994420

994440

722014

722040

722045

722046

722050

722053

722055

722056

722057

722060

722065

722066

722067

722068

722069

722070

722080

722085

722090

722110

722119

722120

722123

722130

722135

722136

722137

722140

722146

722154

722156

722160

722166

722170 722175

722176

722180

722181

722185

722190

722195

722196

722197

722200

722210

722212

722213

722215

722223 722224

722225

722226

722230722235

722245

722246

722250

722255

722260

722265

722267

722269 722268

722270

722275 722276

722279

722280

722284

722285

722286

722287

722300

722320

722340

722345

722347

722348

723030

723034 723035

723055

723060

723066

723068

723100 723104723105

723106

723108

723109

723110

723115

723116

723117

723118

723119

723120

723124

723125

723140

723143

723144

723145

723146

723147

723148

723150

723165 723170 723174

723177

723183 723193

723194

723200

723230 723235

723240

723246

723270 723265 723260

723273

723306

723307

723320

723346

724008

724056

724058

724106 724107

724113

724116

724117

724118

724236 724125

724237 724238

724243

724350

745985

746710

746716

746930

746935

746936

746939

747685 747686

747688

747750

747760

747770

747804

747810

747900 747910

747915

747930

747946

747950

994010

994230

994360

994410

994420

722011

722012

722014

722021

722040

722045

722046

722050

722053

722055

722056

722057

722060

722065

722066

722067

722068

722069

722070

722080

722085

722090

722110

722119

722120

722123

722130

722134

722135

722136

722137

722140

722146

722150

722154

722156

722160

722166

722170 722175

722176

722180

722181

722185

722190

722195

722196

722197

722200

722210

722212

722213

722215

722223 722224

722225

722226

722230722235

722240

722245

722246

722250

722255

722260

722265

722267

722269 722268

722270

722275 722276

722279

722280

722284

722285

722286

722287

722300

722320

722340

722345

722347

722348

723030

723034 723035

723055

723060

723066

723068

723100 723104723105

723106

723108

723109

723110

723115

723116

723117

723118

723119

723120

723124

723125

723140

723143

723144

723145

723146

723147

723148

723150

723156

723165 723170 723174

723177

723180

723183 723193

723194

723200

723230 723235

723240

723246

723270 723265 723260

723273

723306

723307

723320

723346

724008

724056

724058

724106 724107

724113

724116

724117

724118

724236 724125

724237 724238

724243

724350

744652

745985

746710

746716

746930

746935

746936

746939

746940

747685 747686

747688

747750

747760

747770

747804

747805

747806 747807

747808 747809

747810

747812

747900 747910

747915

747930

747946

747950

994010

994230

994360

994410

994420

994640

994650

72206

72208

72214

72215

72230

72317

72327

74794

41004

41008

42007

42036

42039

42040

41009

41012

LCC Origin: 40.0 N, 97.0 W

Standard Parallels: 33.0 N, 45.0 N

Datum: NWS-84

Elevation

(meters)

FL

GA

TN

SC

NC

VA

KY

MS AL

-25

0.1

50

100

150

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

MM5 grid point

Upper Air data

Surface Met data

Precipitation data

Buoy data

Figure 3-4. Plot of MM5 grid and surface, precipitation, buoy, and upper air stations for the 

CALMET/CALPUFF Subregional Domain 4. 
Geophysical and Meteorological Data 3-8 

700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

LCC East (km)

-1200

-1100

-1000

-900

-800

-700

-600

-500

-400

-300

-200

L

C

C

North (km)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

LCC Origin: 40.0 N, 97.0 W

Standard Parallels: 33.0 N, 45.0 N

Datum: NWS-84

Elevation

(meters)

FL

GA

TN

SC

NC

VA

KY

MS AL

Chassahowitzka

St Marks

Okefenokee

Wolf Island

Cape Romain

Sipsey

Cohutta

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrok

Great Smoky Mountains

Shining Rock

Linville Gorge

-25

0.1

50

100

150

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1400

GA facility

Ozone data

Figure 3-5. Plot of ozone stations used for the CALPUFF simulations. The Class I areas and the sites 

of the Georgia facilities are also shown. 
Results 4-1 

4. RESULTS 

The results of the CALMET and CALPUFF modeling for seven BART-eligible facilities in 

Georgia are presented in this section. The simulations were conducted over the three year period 

of 2001-2003. Modeling was conducted using the VISTAS 12-km or 4-km gridded CALMET 

meteorological data files. The POSTUTIL program was used to scale and sum the various 

CALPUFF concentration files to obtain total concentrations. Emission rates of SO2, SO4, and 

NOX were input directly to the CALPUFF model while the six particulate species defining 

specific size categories were modeled as a unit emission rate (1 g/s) and then scaled source by 

source using the POSTUTIL program. CALPOST Method 6 was used to compute the extinction 

change in deciviews (dv) consistent with the procedures outlined in the VISTAS modeling 

protocol using the IMPROVE method (CSU, 1996) as recommended by FLAG (2000). 

Table 4-8 provides the monthly f(RH) values based on the centroid of the Class I area as required 

for the application of Method 6. The last column in Tables 4-1 through 4-7 provides the annual 

average background bext values for each Class I area included in the analysis. For each Class I 

area, the Rayleigh scattering coefficient of 10 Mm-1 was subtracted from the annual average 

background bext and resulting values were entered in CALPOST as BKSOIL. 

Tables 4-1 through 4-7 summarize the maximum predicted extinction changes for 2001, 2002, 

and 2003 for the Class I areas situated within a 300 km radius of each of the seven facilities. The 

highest values of the extinction change along with number of exceedances of the 0.5 dv threshold 

value are presented in the tables. For screening simulations using the 12-km CALMET 

meteorological grid, the highest predicted change in extinction is compared to the 0.5 dv 

threshold. According to the VISTAS protocol, screening simulation results below 0.5 dv for all 

three years indicates that facility is not subject to BART controls. For facilities failing the screen, 

or those located relatively close to one or more Class I areas (usually within 50 km) the state has 

recommended immediately using the more refined 4-km CALMET meteorological grid. In the 

refined simulations, the 98th percentile value of prediction change in extinction (i.e., the 8th

highest day) is compared to the 0.5 dv threshold. If the highest 98th percentile value during the 

three year simulation period is below the 0.5 dv threshold, the source is considered not subject to 

BART controls. 

Tables 4-1a and 4-1b show results for Brunswick Mill. This facility was modeled on the VISTAS 

4-km CALMET Domain 4 refined grid. Table 4-1a show that in the Cape Romain, 

Chassahowitzka and St. Marks Class I areas, maximum predicted extinction change is below the 

0.5 dv threshold value for all three years. Maximum predicted extinction change exceeds 0.5 dv 

in Okefenokee in 2003 and in Wolf Island in 2001 and 2003. However, the 98th percentile value, 

or the 8th highest predicted extinction change for these Class I areas do not exceed the 0.5 dv 

threshold value as shown in Tables 4-1a and 4-1b. 
Results 4-2 

Tables 4-2, 4-3 and 4-6 show that for facilities Tronox, Augusta and DSM Chemicals North, 

modeled with 12-km CALMET domain, the maximum predicted extinction change for each of 

the Class I area are all below the 0.5 dv threshold value. 

PCA Valdosta Mill was first modeled with 12-km domain. Visibility analyses showed that 

predicted maximum extinction changes in Chassahowitzka, Okefenokee, Wolf Island were below 

0.5 dv for all three years Table 4-4a. In St. Marks, 0.5 dv was predicted to exceed 0.5 dv only 

once in 2003. As a refinement to this analysis, PCA Valdosta Mill sources were remodeled using 

the finer grid of 4 km (Table 4-4b). The maximum predicted extinction change in St. Marks in 

2003 dropped from 0.551 dv to 0.510 dv. Table 4-4c shows eight highest values of extinction 

change for all three years for St. Marks. 

Tables 4-5a and 4-5b show results for Interstate Paper, LCC. This is another facility, like 

Brunswick Mill that was modeled on the 4-km CALMET Domain 4 due to its proximity to the 

Wolf Island Class I area (less than 50 km). Table 4-5a show that in Cape Romain, Okefenokee 

and St. Marks Class I areas, maximum predicted extinction change is below the 0.5 dv threshold 

value for all three years. Maximum predicted extinction change exceeds 0.5 dv in Wolf Island 

with more than eight exceedances of the threshold value (Table 4-5b). 
Results 4-3 

Table 4-1a. Summary of Visibility Results for Brunswick Mill – Refined Run (4-km grid)

Class I Area 2001 2002 2003 

Annual 

average 

background 

bext

Maximum delta-deciview, (# days>0.5 dv, # days >1 dv) (Mm-1) 

Cape Romain 0.046 (0 0) 0.064 (0 0) 0.092 (0 0) 21.22 

Chassahowitzka 0.040 (0 0) 0.081 (0 0) 0.076 (0 0) 21.46 

Okefenokee 0.387 (0 0) 0.257 (0 0) 0.503 (1 0) 21.41 

St Marks 0.061 (0 0) 0.095 (0 0) 0.055 (0 0) 21.54 

Wolf Island 0.644 (1 0) 0.431 (0 0) 0.674 (7 0) 21.33 

Table 4-1b. Visibility Results – 8 Highest Values for Brunswick Mill – Refined Run (4-km grid)

2001 2002 2003 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day Rank 

Okefenokee 

0.387 

0.320 

0.304 

0.266 

0.264 

0.249 

0.249 

0.244 

Dec 11 

Nov 19 

Feb 13 

Dec 12 

Nov 3 

Mar 28 

Mar 11 

Nov 22 

0.257 

0.249 

0.247 

0.245 

0.244 

0.234 

0.232 

0.226 

Jan 26 

Dec 8 

Feb 3 

Feb 19 

Mar 7 

Dec 17 

Jan 27 

Feb 15 

0.503 

0.400 

0.333 

0.303 

0.289 

0.288 

0.285 

0.282 

Dec 28 

Jan 31 

Dec 22 

Dec 13 

Feb 20 

Nov 8 

Jan 16 

Dec 27 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

Wolf Island 

0.644 

0.408 

0.405 

0.376 

0.348 

0.334 

0.318 

0.309 

Aug 29 

Aug 19 

Sep 19 

Feb 15 

Feb 6 

Aug 12 

Mar 2 

Nov 26 

0.431 

0.421 

0.42 

0.402 

0.402 

0.371 

0.340 

0.338 

Jun 1 

Jul 4 

Jul 24 

Aug 23 

Jan 17 

Aug 21 

Jan 5 

Oct 20 

0.674 

0.616 

0.577 

0.537 

0.535 

0.520 

0.506 

0.447 

Oct 24 

Jul 16 

Aug 5 

Feb 14 

Aug 19 

May 16 

Jul 12 

Jan 20 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 
Results 4-4 

Table 4-2. Summary of Visibility Results for Tronox – Screening Run (12-km grid)

Class I Area 2001 2002 2003 

Annual 

average 

background 

bext

Maximum delta-deciview, (# days>0.5 dv, # days >1 dv) (Mm-1) 

Cape Romain 0.165 (0 0) 0.196 (0 0) 0.134 (0 0) 21.22 

Okefenokee 0.113 (0 0) 0.140 (0 0) 0.213 (0 0) 21.41 

Wolf Island 0.315 (0 0) 0.304 (0 0) 0.246 (0 0) 21.33 

Table 4-3. Summary of Visibility Results for Augusta Plant – Screening Run (12-km grid)

Class I Area 2001 2002 2003 

Annual 

average 

background 

bext

Maximum delta-deciview, (# days>0.5 dv, # days >1 dv) (Mm-1) 

Cape Romain 0.009 (0 0) 0.012 (0 0) 0.009 (0 0) 21.22 

Cohutta 0.002 (0 0) 0.003 (0 0) 0.004 (0 0) 21.39 

Great Smokey Mt. 0.002 (0 0) 0.002 (0 0) 0.002 (0 0) 21.39 

Joyce Kilmer 0.002 (0 0) 0.002 (0 0) 0.002 (0 0) 21.40 

Linville Gorge 0.008 (0 0) 0.003 (0 0) 0.005 (0 0) 21.36 

Okefenokee 0.005 (0 0) 0.006 (0 0) 0.007 (0 0) 21.41 

Shining Rock 0.004 (0 0) 0.003 (0 0) 0.003 (0 0) 21.40 

Wolf Island 0.014 (0 0) 0.005 (0 0) 0.005 (0 0) 21.33 
Results 4-5 

Table 4-4a. Summary of Visibility Results for PCA Valdosta Mill - Screening Run (12-km grid) 

Class I Area 2001 2002 2003 

Annual 

average 

background 

bext

Maximum delta-deciview, (# days>0.5 dv, # days >1 dv) (Mm-1) 

Chassahowitzka 0.108 (0 0) 0.197 (0 0) 0.095 (0 0) 21.46 

Okefenokee 0.349 (0 0) 0.268 (0 0) 0.345 (0 0) 21.41 

St Marks 0.307 (0 0) 0.356 (0 0) 0.551 (1 0) 21.54 

Wolf Island 0.181 (0 0) 0.136 (0 0) 0.096 (0 0) 21.33 

Table 4-4b. Summary of Visibility Results for PCA Valdosta Mill - Refined Run (4-km grid) 

Class I Area 2001 2002 2003 

Annual 

average 

background 

bext

Maximum delta-deciview, (# days>0.5 dv, # days >1 dv) (Mm-1) 

Chassahowitzka 0.113 (0 0) 0.138 (0 0) 0.104 (0 0) 21.46 

Okefenokee 0.300 (0 0) 0.359 (0 0) 0.330 (0 0) 21.41 

St Marks 0.321 (0 0) 0.424 (0 0) 0.510 (1 0) 21.54 

Wolf Island 0.169 (0 0) 0.188 (0 0) 0.160 (0 0) 21.33 

Table 4-4c. Visibility Results – 8 Highest Values for PCA Valdosta Mill - Refined Run (4-km 

grid) 

2001 2002 2003 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day Rank 

St. Marks 

0.321 

0.304 

0.262 

0.202 

0.202 

0.188 

0.184 

0.174 

Nov 10 

Dec 11 

Sep 5 

Oct 30 

Oct 20 

Sep 10 

Feb 4 

Sep 6 

0.424 

0.352 

0.336 

0.291 

0.284 

0.271 

0.206 

0.190 

Oct 26 

Oct 12 

Nov 24 

Jan 27 

Sep 18 

Dec 7 

Nov 20 

Dec 12 

0.510 

0.227 

0.216 

0.215 

0.189 

0.178 

0.172 

0.171 

Jan 25 

May 24 

Feb 9 

Jan 26 

Dec 26 

Nov 25 

Oct 20 

Nov 21 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 
Results 4-6 

Table 4-5a. Summary of Visibility Results for Interstate Paper, LLC – Refined Run (4-km grid)

Class I Area 2001 2002 2003 

Annual 

average 

background 

bext

Maximum delta-deciview, (# days>0.5 dv, # days >1 dv) (Mm-1) 

Cape Romain 0.069 (0 0) 0.106 (0 0) 0.048 (0 0) 21.22 

Okefenokee 0.236 (0 0) 0.187 (0 0) 0.337 (0 0) 21.41 

St Marks 0.034 (0 0) 0.041 (0 0) 0.045 (0 0) 21.54 

Wolf Island 0.718 (1 0) 0.502 (1 0) 0.416 (0 0) 21.33 

Table 4-5b. Visibility Results – 8 Highest Values for Interstate Paper, LLC – Refined Run (4-km 

grid)

2001 2002 2003 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day 

Change in 

Deciview 

(dv)

Day Rank 

Wolf Island 

0.718 

0.371 

0.345 

0.312 

0.310 

0.282 

0.231 

0.216 

Jan 15 

Sep 17 

Jan 10 

Feb 6 

Dec 21 

Jan 21 

Dec 30 

Jan 2 

0.502 

0.420 

0.357 

0.337 

0.311 

0.286 

0.273 

0.241 

Dec 27 

Nov 26 

Nov 1 

Jan 16 

Nov 19 

Dec 26 

Oct 26 

Jan 28 

0.416 

0.335 

0.268 

0.265 

0.257 

0.255 

0.250 

0.189 

Dec 8 

Oct 15 

Sep 7 

Nov 30 

Sep 8 

Jan 7 

Jan 5 

Feb 9 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 
Results 4-7 

Table 4-6. Summary of Visibility Results for DSM Chemicals North – Screening Run (12-km 

grid)

Class I Area 2001 2002 2003 

Annual 

average 

background 

bext

Maximum delta-deciview, (# days>0.5 dv, # days >1 dv) (Mm-1) 

Cape Romain 0.107 (0 0) 0.096 (0 0) 0.094 (0 0) 21.22 

Cohutta 0.064 (0 0) 0.053 (0 0) 0.112 (0 0) 21.39 

Great Smokey Mt. 0.045 (0 0) 0.053 (0 0) 0.072 (0 0) 21.39 

Joyce Kilmer 0.050 (0 0) 0.051 (0 0) 0.072 (0 0) 21.40 

Linville Gorge 0.093 (0 0) 0.048 (0 0) 0.063 (0 0) 21.36 

Okefenokee 0.088 (0 0) 0.131 (0 0) 0.063 (0 0) 21.41 

Shining Rock 0.049 (0 0) 0.042 (0 0) 0.069 (0 0) 21.40 

Wolf Island 0.102 (0 0) 0.085 (0 0) 0.114 (0 0) 21.33 

Table 4-7. Monthly f(RH) Values Based on the Centroid of the Area, for Visibility Method 6 

Applications 

Class I area Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 

Cape Romain 3.3 3.0 2.9 2.8 3.2 3.7 3.6 4.1 4.0 3.7 3.4 3.2 

Chassahowitzka 3.8 3.5 3.4 3.2 3.3 3.9 3.9 4.2 4.1 3.9 3.7 3.9 

Cohutta 3.3 3.1 3.0 2.8 3.4 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.2 3.8 3.4 3.5 

Great Smoky Mountains 3.3 3.0 2.9 2.7 3.2 3.9 3.8 4.0 4.2 3.8 3.3 3.4 

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.7 3.3 3.8 4.0 4.2 4.2 3.8 3.3 3.5 

Linville Gorge 3.3 3.0 3.0 2.7 3.3 3.9 4.1 4.5 4.4 3.7 3.2 3.4 

Okefenokee 3.5 3.2 3.1 3.0 3.6 3.7 3.7 4.1 4.0 3.8 3.5 3.6 

Shining Rock 3.3 3.0 2.9 2.7 3.4 3.9 4.1 4.5 4.4 3.8 3.3 3.4 

Sipsey 3.4 3.1 2.9 2.8 3.3 3.7 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.6 3.3 3.4 

St. Marks 3.7 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.5 4.0 4.1 4.4 4.2 3.8 3.7 3.8 

Wolf Island 3.4 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.3 3.7 3.7 4.1 4.0 3.7 3.5 3.5 

Source: Guidance for Estimating Natural Visibility Conditions Under the Regional Haze Rule (2003), Appendix A, Table A-3
References 5-1 

5. REFERENCES 

CSU, 1996: IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Environments). Spatial and 

Seasonal patterns and Long Term Variability of the Composition of the Haze in the 

United States: An Analysis of Data from the IMPROVE Network. ISSN: 0737-5352-32. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1998: Interagency Workgroup on Air Quality 

Modeling (IWAQM), Phase 2 Report: Summary Report and Recommendation for 

Modeling Long Range Transport and Impacts on Regional Visibility. U.S. EPA, 

Research Triangle Park, NC. EPA-454/R-98-019. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2003: Guidance for Estimating Natural Visibility 

Conditions under the Regional Haze Program. U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, 

EPA-454/B-03-005. 

FLAG, 2000: Federal Land Managers’ Air Quality Related Values Workgroup (FLAG). Phase I 

report. 

Grell, G.A., J.Dudhia, and D.R. Stauffer, 1995: “A Description of the Fifth Generation Penn 

State/NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5)”, NCAR TN-398-STR, NCAR Technical Note. 

Scire, J.S., D.G. Strimaitis, and R.J. Yamartino, 2000a: A User’s Guide for the CALPUFF 

Dispersion Model (Version 5). Earth Tech, Inc., Concord, MA. Available from 

http://www.src.com. 

Scire, J.S., F.R. Robe, M.E. Fernau, and R.J. Yamartino, 2000b: A User’s Guide for the 

CALMET Meteorological Model (Version 5). Earth Tech, Inc., Concord, MA. Available 

from http://www.src.com. 

VISTAS, 2006: Protocol for the Application of the CALPUFF Model for Analyses of Best 

Available Retrofit Technology (BART). Revision 3.2, August 2006. Available from 

http://www.vistas-sesarm.org.