WMSRDC Programs - Air Quality Planning

Air Quality Planning

Overview

Designation is the term the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses to describe the air quality in a given area for any of six common pollutants known as criteria pollutants. Those pollutants include ground-level ozone, which is unhealthy to breathe.

EPA designates an area as nonattainment if it has violated, or has contributed to violations of the national 8-hour ozone standard over a three-year period. EPA also may designate an area as attainment/unclassifiable, if it has: 1) monitored air quality data showing that area has not violated the ozone standard over a three-year period; or if 2) there is not enough information to determine the air quality in the area.

The designations process plays an important role in letting the public know whether air quality in a given area is healthy. Once designations take effect, they also become an important component of state, tribal and local governments’ efforts to control ground-level ozone.

In West Michigan, Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, and Mason Counties are currently classified as attainment maintenance.

The Regional Commission is the designated air quality planning agency for Muskegon and Northern Ottawa Counties. Acting on this designation, the Regional Commission works with local governments and the state of Michigan regarding air quality rules and implementation. The Regional Commission also promotes voluntary air quality programs to inform residents that their individual travel and household activities can make a big difference.

Services

This program continues to provide a public awareness campaign to reduce ozone emissions during the Ozone Action! Season, which runs from May through September. The Ozone Action! Program is coordinated with similar programs in Kent and Ottawa Counties through the West Michigan Clean Air Coalition. The goal of Ozone Action! is to promote voluntary low-cost emissions reduction activities on hot summer days that are conducive to the formation of ozone.

To learn more about Ozone Action! and the Clean Air Coaliton, please go to the West Michigan Clean Air Coalition's web page.

The Regional Commission is a partner community of the national It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It All Adds Up is designed to support local public outreach efforts to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. The initiative emphasizes simple and convenient actions people can take to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion, while saving time, money, and stress. The main focus is to remind everyone that all the choices we make affect the livability of our community and the quality of the air we breathe.

	Although many people believe the cause of air pollution is industry, it's actually you and me. The four main sources of air pollution as shown in the pie chart are cars, trucks, & non-road engines such as boats (48%); industry and utilities (31%); and consumer activities (21%).
	Have you tried riding the bus lately? If you haven't, try it again. Just once, or even twice a week. It will save you a lot of money and aggravation and you'll help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
	Bike riding is a great way to get where you're going. Each bicyclist means one less car, helping to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and fuel consumption. Bicycles require less investment, less road space, and are a great choice for short trips.
	To stay healthy, doctors recommend exercising, like fast paced walking, at least 30 minutes each day, or even just three times a week. You'll get more exercise and help to reduce traffic and air pollution. That should make you feel great.
	Trip-chaining -- combining errands into one sensible trip -- is just one of the many actions you can take, and probably are taking to improve the quality of the air you breathe.
	Although national regulations have been adopted to curb pollutants by new lawnmowers and other small gas-powered engines, you can make the decision to trade in your gasoline-powered mower and purchase a new electric or push mower. The air pollutant emissions from a push mower are zero, and an electric mower emits 9,000 times less than a gasoline-powered mower.
	Household products and other consumer products comprise a large part of air pollution. Ty to use pump or non-aerosols instead of aerosols. Also try to use solvent free paints that are better for the environment and have a lot less odor too.
	Your mom always told you to take good care of your stuff. She is right as usual. Regular maintenance keeps your car running smooth and keeps the air clean.
	When you share your commute with just one other person, you cut your costs by 50 percent. Share with two people and you can slash your cost of driving to and from work by 67 percent. That can up to a lot of money back in your pocket.

Check out these 10 Simple Steps to Improving Air Quality tips.

To find out more about "It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air" at the national level click here.

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Products and Publications

Click here to go to the a full list of recent downloadable WMSRDC publications and products including air quality program promotional materials.

Contacts

For more information concerning Air Quality Planning, please call (231) 722-7878 ext. 19 or contact:

Amy Haack, Program Manager ahaack@wmsrdc.org

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