A resolution of unprecedented magnitude has been approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The Board committed to 38 measures of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ (MAG) Five Percent Plan, designed to reduce PM 10 emissions by five percent per year until the EPA standard is met. The increased staffing and funding dedicated to improving the quality of our air is monumental, indicating the Board’s commitment to battling this severe issue.
$11 million dollars have been committed to this effort for this year and $13 million for next year. The measures include public education and outreach, dedicated enforcement for unpaved roads and parking, mobile monitoring and notification of high-pollution days.
A key measure approved by the Supervisors adds 91 new positions to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. 51 of those positions are dust inspectors, which brings the total number of dust inspectors to 81. With the number of inspectors in the field more than doubled, more enforcement and education can be accomplished. The new employees will be hired in phases and the Air Quality Department hopes to complete all hiring and training by June 2008.
Director of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Bob Kard, says, “These inspectors will be trained to take enforcement action whenever a violation is seen and they will also be able to provide even more
on-site dust control training. Furthermore, we will assign inspectors to go out at various hours of the night and on weekends to ensure we know just what is going on in this region.”
According to the federal Clean Air Act, Maricopa County has been classified as a serious non-attainment area for PM 10 particulate matter. Maricopa County has responded by creating an Air Quality Department and developing and expanding efforts to clear the air via inspections, enforcing compliance, education and outreach.
The Bring Back Blue skies campaign is a part of the comprehensive plan. To find out more, please visit www.bringbackblue.org.