Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Air Quality Program

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC)  Created by Executive Order on June 14, 1879 by President Rutherford B. Hayes  2 distinct tribes: Akimel O’Odham or Pima (River People); and the Xalychidom Piipaash or Maricopa (People who live toward the water)  enrolled Community Members on Reservation population  Community Council consists of President, Vice President and seven elected Council Members

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC)  Located in central Arizona within Maricopa County. Surrounded by Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and metropolitan Phoenix.  53,600 acres- 12,000+ acres of agriculture,19,000 acres natural preserve, commercial development along the western corridor, significant sand & gravel mining  2 major freeways: Loop 101 & Loop 202 & Highway 87-Beeline Highway  2 Rivers: Verde and Salt Rivers-Granite Reef Dam

Air Quality Program Staff  Christopher Horan, Environmental Engineer*  Stan Belone, Senior Environmental Specialist*  Greg Little, Environmental Specialist*  Angela Cruz, Environmental Technician Administration  Dr. Rachel G. Misra, Environmental Programs Supervisor  Ondrea Barber, Manager * = EPA Grant Funded Staff

Program History  Federally Funded since the late 1990’s  Increase in staff – 1 to 3.5 FTE  Development of air monitoring sites  Increase in types of air pollutants monitored  Changes in technology application  Improved data collection and management  Development of regulatory program  Provide Community outreach

Program Goals  Protect health & welfare of the Community Members and environment  Assess the Community’s air quality  Develop baseline data and track changes  Identify sources and levels of local air pollution  Develop programs to reduce local emissions  Develop regulations for local sources/activities  Assert tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction (self governance)

Air Pollution Sources  TRANSPORT  Vehicle traffic  Construction activities  Agricultural activities  Mining operations  Unpaved roads  Earth moving activities  Power plant emissions  Factory/industry emissions  Natural causes (dust storms, forest fires, etc.)

Visibility Impacts

SRPMIC Air Monitoring Sites

SRPMIC Air Monitoring  Major air pollutants in the Community – Ozone (O 3 ) and Particulate Matters (PM 10 and PM 2.5 )  Monitors daily for PM 10, PM 2.5 and O 3,  Meteorological data collected daily and applied  Monitoring stations operated at the High School, Senior Center, Red Mountain, and Lehi  Submits data to National Emissions Inventory (NEI) and Air Quality System (AQS)

SRPMIC Data

Trends

SRPMIC Regulatory Activities  Seeking from US EPA Treatment as a State (TAS) or Eligibility Determination status  Developing a Tribal Implementation Plan (TIP)  Drafting Community specific air quality ordinances to serve the Community better  Assists US EPA Region IX with enforcement of CAA in the Community  Enhance compliance and enforcement

Ordinance Development  Draft ordinances currently being developed by the Air Quality Program - Mining, Dust Control, Construction, and Open Burning  Several air quality rules (ordinances) will be combined and presented to the Council for consideration  Future plans – improve compliance and enforcement capabilities

Coordination with Neighbors  Gila River Indian Community  Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation  Ak-Chin Indian Community  Maricopa County  Arizona Department of Environmental Quality  Arizona Department of Transportation  US Environmental Protection Agency

Successful Collaborations  Joint Air Toxics Assessment Project (JATAP) – Partners include SRPMIC, GRIC, FMYN, NAU-ITEP, ITCA, AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality, Maricopa County, Pinal County, US EPA R9 and OAQPS

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Air Quality Program