1. Air Quality in Yakima County
The Ramifications of PM2.5
“Non-Attainment” Status FY

2. Why are we here? Human Activity Issues of Health
Is the major contributor to air pollution
Air pollution affects health
Issues of Health
Are the driving force behind the Federal Clean Air Act

3. Why are we here?
YRCAA is the local agency charged with maintaining high standards of Air Quality
Guide (communities)
Educate and Inform
Guard (the air shed)
Collect and Interpret Data
Develop and Administer Air Programs
Enforce (the law) when necessary
Inspections
Issue warnings
Issue Penalties

4. Why are we here?
CAA – higher standards set in 2006 for the allowable amount of PM2.5 in the air
Yakima County is on the verge of exceeding the 24-hour standard.
More work is needed to:
Avoid “Non-Attainment” designation, or
Regain “Attainment” status

5. Where We’ve Been Designated non-attainment for PM10
Developed PM10 re-attainment program
Took 17 years to accomplish redesignation as attainment
Direct and indirect costs estimated at 8-10 Million Dollars
We can do it again

6. Where We Are Fighting to attain new PM2.5 standard
2008 – days of exceedance: 3 verified
2009 – days of exceedance: 2 already
Calling winter burn bans based on air monitor data & modeling
Limiting agricultural burning with allocations
Replacing uncertified wood stoves
Educating the public

7. PM2.5

8. Standard = 35 Micrograms of PM2.5 per meter3

9. Where We’re Headed Non-Attainment – a foregone conclusion ?
Consequences:
Regulation 1 revisions
Attainment planning; SIP Revisions
More enforcement staff in the field, more regularly
Contract patrols
Increased Notices of Violation and Penalty activity

10. Where We’re Headed Ongoing Public Education efforts
Public forums/events
Includes bi-lingual outreach
Regular media use
Additional literature
Reprints
New flyers, brochures, info sheets

11. Where We’re Headed Impact on Households – Indirect
Possible withheld Federal Transportation funds
More expensive pollution control equipment for industry
Higher unemployment levels – crime rate effects
Impact on Households – Direct
Tighter solid-fuel home heating device restrictions
Move to alternative sources of heat
Tighter outdoor burning restrictions
Move to alternative methods of debris disposal
Yakima area becomes less attractive to new business/industry
less income, fewer jobs, restricted growth & revenue
Some loss of established businesses
lost income, jobs, tax base

12. Where We’re Headed Impact on Business and Community – Indirect
Move to alternative methods of debris disposal
Unhappy property owners
Higher unemployment levels
Crime rate rises
More demand on public assistance, food banks, etc.

13. Where We’re Headed Impact on Business and Community – Direct
Possible withheld Federal Transportation funds
Tighter outdoor burning restrictions
Agriculture
Weed abatement
More expensive pollution control equipment for industry
Loss of established businesses
Increased cost of doing business
Decreased revenue on solid fuel devices and related sales
Yakima area becomes less attractive to new business/industry

14. Funding Comparison: