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21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4182 

(909) 396-2000 • http://www.aqmd.gov

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF EXEMPTION FROM THE CALIFORNIA 

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT 

PROJECT TITLE: PROPOSED AMENDED RULE 1173 – CONTROL OF 

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND LEAKS AND 

RELEASES FROM COMPONENTS AT PETROLEUM 

FACILITIES AND CHEMICAL PLANTS 

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the South Coast Air 

Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is the Lead Agency and has prepared a Notice of 

Exemption for the project identified above. 

The SCAQMD has reviewed the proposed project pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15002 (k)(1), 

the first step of a three-step process for deciding which document to prepare for a project subject 

to CEQA. Since it can be seen with certainty that the proposed project has no potential to 

adversely impact air quality or any other environmental area, it is exempt from CEQA pursuant 

to CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) - Review for Exemption (General Rule Exemption). 

A Notice of Exemption has been prepared pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15062 - Notice of 

Exemption. The Notice of Exemption will be filed with the county clerks of Los Angeles, 

Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties immediately following the adoption of the 

proposed project. 

Any questions regarding this Notice of Exemption should be sent to Barbara Radlein (c/o 

Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources) at the above address. Ms. Radlein can also be 

reached at (909) 396-2716. Mr. Kennard Ellis is also available at (909) 396-2457 to answer any 

questions regarding the proposed amendments. 

Date: February 6, 2009 Signature: 

Steve Smith, Ph.D. 

Program Supervisor 

Planning, Rule Development & Area 

Sources 

Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 14 
NOTICE OF EXEMPTION

To: County Clerks 

Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, 

Riverside and San Bernardino

From: South Coast Air Quality Management District 

21865 Copley Drive 

Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Project Title: 

Proposed Amended Rule 1173 – Control of Volatile Organic Compound Leaks and Releases From 

Components at Petroleum Facilities and Chemical Plants 

Project Location: 

South Coast Air Quality Management District: the four-county South Coast Air Basin (Orange 

County and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties) and the 

Riverside County portions of the Salton Sea Air Basin and Mojave Desert Air Basin.

Description of Nature, Purpose, and Beneficiaries of Project: 

The proposed amendments to Rule 1173 – Control of Volatile Organic Compound Leaks and 

Releases From Components at Petroleum Facilities and Chemical Plants, will modify the exemption 

listed in paragraph (l)(5) to correctly reference paragraphs (h)(6) and (h)(7), instead of paragraphs 

(h)(4) and (h)(5), as was originally intended by the June 2007 amendments to Rule 1173. The 

proposed changes are administrative in nature. 

Public Agency Approving Project: 

South Coast Air Quality Management District

Agency Carrying Out Project: 

South Coast Air Quality Management District

Exempt Status: 

Three-Step Process: CEQA Guidelines §15002(k)(1) 

General Rule Exemption: CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) 

Reasons why project is exempt: 

The project was reviewed and determined to be administrative in nature with no potential to generate 

significant adverse impacts on the environment. Therefore, the SCAQMD has determined that the 

proposal is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3) - Review for Exemption, 

since it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed project in question 

has the potential to have a significant adverse effect on the environment.

Certification Date: 

SCAQMD Governing Board Hearing: February 6, 2009, 9:00 a.m.; SCAQMD Headquarters 

CEQA Contact Person: Ms. Barbara Radlein Phone Number: (909) 396-2716

Rule Contact Person: Mr. Kennard Ellis Phone Number: (909) 396-2457

Date Received for Filing: Signature: (Signed Upon Certification) 

Steve Smith, Ph.D., Program Supervisor

Planning, Rule Development & Area 

Sources