Air Quality in Grand Forks - Getting Started Playing catch up Making do Presented to the Clean Air Forum March 2008 By Chris Moslin, Chair BAQC

PM10 monitoring starts atop City Hall Grand Forks City Council and Area D form first Air Quality Committee First public complaint about Cantex Asphalt Plant Operation 1997 Province’s portable air monitoring trailer installed for six months The Reid ReportThe Reid Report the pollution hotline Friends of the Granby appeal Roxul permit and are denied Ralph Adam’s reportRalph Adam’s report PM partisol monitor installed BAQC formed Background History

Major Findings i) That the downtown area is most affected by elevated levels of pm10. ii) In the downtown, Industrial sources account for 45% of the particulate and Domestic sources account for 55% (open burning, wood stoves, roadway and other dust). iii) Wind speeds are low; pollutants that should dissipate do not, resulting in high ambient pollutant concentrations. iv) A ground based layered haze is visible approximately one third of the time, particularly early in the morning. This haze drifts to the East of town. The Nursery area is less affected by pm10 pollution than downtown. Recommendations I) 50 % voluntary reduction in industrial emissions II) 50%voluntary reduction in woodstove emissions III) Ban on all uncontrolled outdoor burning within the municipality IV) City program to reduce fugitive dust from roadway emissions The Reid Report 1998

Conclusions and Recommendations The levels of inhalable particulate matter are among the highest in the southern interior and a concern to public health With the measurements available we cannot distinguish between fugitive dust and smoke The distribution of the particulate matter reading during the days of the week suggest that the problem is due to human activities Respirable particulate matter monitoring should begin as soon as possible Wind measurements should be made to investigate prevailing winds more thoroughly Records from industry should be examined to see if there is an annual or weekly cycle to emissions The city should summarize the methods used to clean-up fugitive road dust to look for improvement The city should conduct a wood heating survey to allow an estimate of emissions from wood heaters The Air Quality Committee be resurrected to address the issue of airshed planning Ralph Adam’s Report 2002

The BAQC Advisory Committee to Council Stakeholders invited to participate The Community Engagement Team The Measurement, Analysis and Data Team Public involvement

Quick Starts TEOM 2.5 monitoring Met station at Airport Cash from MoE Cash and in-kind support from local governments Commitment from stakeholders Public awareness and support

Goals for Reaching out By October 2007, BAQC will have worked with MoE to set goals with each industry on a specific project to improve air quality. By October 2007, BAQC will have taken tours of local industry to better understand their operations in order to set goals. By October 2007, MoE will have assisted the BAQC with the completion of an emissions inventory. By January 2007, TEOM data will be available on a daily basis on-line in real-time. By October 2007, BAQC will have secured long-term funding. By October 2007, BAQC will develop a "wood stove" strategy. Throughout , BAQC will engage the community through education and reporting.

Accomplishments Web site Public Survey Commuter Challenge Anti-idling bylaw Emissions Inventory Roxul’s investment in air quality City Weather Station Wood stove exchange program Access to real time TEOM data

Goals for 2008 Distribute, discuss and use the Emissions Inventory Continue with community engagement programs Complete a Dispersion Modelling study Implement additional Airshed monitoring equipment Implement real time monitoring of the airshed Prepare an Air Quality Management Plan Present the AQMP to local governments for ratification

Tips for Success Use facilitation to create a mandate statement Build connections Treat each other respectfully PLAN Be public PATIENCE