Ordinance No. 20319 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Findings -1-23. The high value placed on clean air and water by local residents is reflected in local commitments to plans and programs directed toward reducing air and water pollution. ;~24. The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area has a strong potential for elevated levels of air pollution due to the surrounding mountains, which provide a barrier to ventilation and contribute to periodic episodes of stable atmospheric conditions. These conditions effectively limit dilution and dispersion of air pollutants, resulting in the build-up of concentrations near the ground. ~2_~5. Some pollutants affecting metropolitan air and water quality originate outside the metropolitan area. 42_~6. Based on monitorh~g work perfom~ed by thc Lane Re~onat Air Pollution Agency (LRAPA), the Lane Cc unml of Government (LCOG) and LRAPA submitted documentation demonstrating that the area meets the carbon monoxide standards since a violation of the eight-hour standard has not occurred since 1980. In 1988, LRAPA and LCOG fonually requested redesigr~ation of the area as an attainment area for carbon monoxide. The Oregon Department of Environmental Oualitv (DEQ) forwarded the reclassification request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Office in Seattle. In January 1994, EPA redesignated the Eugene-S1)ringfield area to attainment status for carbon monoxide. The area is currently in a 20-year maintenance period. Since redesi~nation, there have been no violations of the carbon monoxide stm~dards. LRAPA has developed a plan for meeting the new standards for fine particulates (the PM10 standard). The LRAPA Board has approved the plan. The PM10 plan boundary is coterminous with Metro Pla~t UGB. A majority of the unpaved streets identified as high priorities to address PM10 problems have now been paved. The PM10 plan approved by the LRAPA Board concluded that no transportation-related control measures were necessary for compliance with the PM10 Standard. LRAPA is currently in the process of seeking redesi~nation to attai~unent status for PM10. The metropolitan area occasionally violates federal, state, and local air quality strmdards for particulate matter and carbon monoxide. Particulate matter consists of solid and liquid particles of soot, dust, aerosols, and fumes. The principal sources of particulate matter in this area include industry, dust from paved and unpaved roads, and smoke from wood stoves and frreplaces. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas created from incomplete combustion occurring in automobiles, wood stoves, and fireplaces. 5. Existing suspended particulate air quality standards and monitoring techniques, which are based on weight, do not adequately account for air pollution impacts of the finer particulates. Recent evidence indicates fine particulates have a greater potential for adverse effects on human health than do larger particulates. Exhibit B: Proposed amendments to Chapter III-C, Environmental Resources Element,Page 22 of 25 of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Plan (Metro Plan).