The committee also investigated Mecklenburg County's program, on e of three local programs in the state that administers state air quality statutes by reference in a local ordinance. Defining the Problem Reaching consensus on the air quality issues to be addressed was the first step in a process designed to guide QNRC members toward specific policy recommendations. The QNRC initially developed a list of nine issues related to air pollution control. It was the consensus of the group that the primary issue was to identify and evaluate alternatives for administering the provisions of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments i n Gaston County. All issues were restated as goals or guidelines to provide policy direction and emphasis.
Goals are broadly defined targets for policy action.
Guidelines add further direction to the policy program by providing boundaries within which future policies will be centered. By defining policy goals and guidelines, committee members were able to rea ch agreement on the overall direction of the air quality program. Once the policy alternatives were identified, they could be evaluated in reference to these goals and guidelines. Setting Priorities Ranking the goals and guidelines provided another method for evaluating policy alternatives. A policy alternative that seems likely to achieve high priority goals and remain consistent with high priority guidelines should receive greater consideration for policy recommendation.