07/26/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. larger air shed problem. The committee has been discouraged by DEQ from concerning itself with slash burning because the DEQ cannot control slash e burning. He felt this should be a concern of the committee. Mr. Delay contfnued that the air quality problem will not disappear and will not be entirely solved through only the Eugene/Springfield metro area effort. Therefore, he felt it prudent the AQMACAC be encouraged to more fully explore the valley-wide implications and specifics about slash burning. And second, the City of Eugene should encourage the committee to incorporate a growth increment program. The effect would be to roll back pollution levels sufficiently to permit existing or new expansion to take place and still meet the timetable for complying with Federal standards. He also noted that the City must recognize in the current inventory a very major component of particulates going into the air comes from road dust. That problem needs to be addressed, and the committee would thus be asking cooperation both from Eugene and Springfield to participate in controlling the sources. Costly paving and improved cleaning are inevitable. In summary, Mr. Delay said there is definitely an air quality problem that needs a higher level of cooperation and attention, not just area-wide but throughout the valley and on a state-wide basis. Assistant Manager related some of staff's concern in that staff needs to continue to be deeply involved in the air quality program to reap the benefits from past investments. A revised State Implementation Plan is going on now. The issue of trying to persuade other valley communities of e the need to focus attention on air quality in the valley is being discussed. To date, there has been little success in getting cooperation from other cities in the Willamette Valley and he noted all have a high stake in air quality. Also, there is a need to have the state assess where the particu- lates are coming from and how they are moving through the area. The City is hoping to retain a lobbyist for air quality in August to prepare for the 1979 legislative session and State Implementation Plan. He sai d there might be some additional costs, but Council would be apprised of those. Terry Smith, Public Works Department, is working very hard on burning practices and slash burning control. The staff is working with LRAPA staff, who have been very cooperative, and in fact a meeting is scheduled later today to talk with LRAPA about road dust strategies. Mr. Williams questioned Mr. Delay regarding the 40-percent unknown particu- late matters, and wondered how much he would estimate of that 40 percent comes from barbeques and wood burning in homes. Mr. Delay responded wood space heating would account for approximately 3.4 percent. Answering a question from Mr. Lieuallen, Assistant Manager said that Mayor Keller is considering hosting a meeting with other mayors from cities in the valley to present the idea of mutual cooperation. This would lead to meetings with other city councils. -- 7/26/78--8 538