CLEAN AIR NEWSLINE

June 2007 Edition

In this issue:

Board of Directors approves agency’s 10-year strategic plan
New simplified online process for asbestos notifications
Come out and see us at summer fairs
How was April's air?
Announcements: Permit open for comment

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency 10-year strategic plan is approved

Over the last two years Clean Air Agency staff, the Board of Directors, Advisory Council members and a wide-range of interested external partners have collaborated on development of the “The Next 10 Years Strategic Plan.” The agency’s Board of Directors recently adopted the final plan and it is available for viewing at www.pscleanair.org/news/library/reports/Next10_years_Strategic_Plan.pdf .

A one-day conference held in January 2006 was a critical milestone in the thorough and inclusive development process. Over 100 partners representing a range of interests attended the conference to review, learn, discuss and provide input. Conference highlights can be review at www.pscleanair.org/news/library/reports/2006_Conference_Highlights.pdf .

Three panel presentations and discussions identified six priority areas for the agency to address over the next 10 years: Climate Protection, Community Planning, Diesel/Clean Fuels, Environmental Justice, Public Outreach and Education, Wood Burning/Fine Particles. A summary chart of the six priority area strategies is included in the final planning document.

Included in the final report are the agency’s revised vision and mission statements and 10-year agency goals.

Our Vision: In the Puget Sound Region, the air we breathe is consistently clean and healthy, and we are successfully doing our part to prevent catastrophic global warming. We are achieving clean air and climate goals while maintaining a productive, sustainable economy and effective, responsive government.
Our Mission: We work together to clean the air we breathe and protect our climate through education, incentives and enforcement.
Our 10-Year Goals:

Reduce exposure to air pollution in all parts of our jurisdiction, especially where there are vulnerable, at-risk populations.

Meet our health goal for PM2.5 and be in attainment with federal standards in all four counties.

Reduce air toxics health risks to less than 2001 risk levels.

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels and continue to reduce emissions to meet our 2050 goal (70 percent below 1990 levels).

Work with at-risk communities to help them become healthy communities.

Increase the percentage of people making clean-air and climate-friendly choices (2017 community survey).

Watch our progress in future issues of Clean Air Newsline and on our Web site.

New online process makes submitting asbestos notifications quick and easy

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral (magnesium silicate) fiber that has been widely used in many construction materials and manufactured products, from insulation to vinyl flooring to spray-on "popcorn" ceilings. Left undisturbed and in good condition, these products can perform as intended. Problems arise, however, when they deteriorate and fall apart or are disturbed through the actions associated with demolition and renovation.

These activities can cause asbestos to break down into tiny fibers that become airborne, are easily inhaled, and settle deep into the lungs. Medical research tells us that asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, or mesothelioma, a related terminal cancer of the tissue lining the chest cavity, several years after inhalation.

That's why asbestos is classified as a hazardous air pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and why demolition and renovation projects must comply with certain asbestos requirements before they begin. Asbestos notifications are required in advance of an asbestos or demolition project in order to allow our inspectors the opportunity to inspect these projects for compliance.

On June 1, 2007, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency rolled out a much streamlined notification process, allowing customers to submit and pay for asbestos notifications and amendments online, anytime.

This change makes it more convenient, cost effective and faster to submit notifications/amendments to the Clean Air Agency. Even the information required has been streamlined, as staff conducted an overall system design and analysis review. Online submittal allows for immediate payment and printing of the notification (which should be kept on the job site), instead of waiting for payment to reach the agency and paperwork be processed. Also, users can view their previous history of notifications and do online amendments.

While initial feedback from users has been great, as with anything new we are working through a few bugs. For now, users must use Internet Explorer as their browser. Our tech folks are looking at accommodating a couple of the other popular browsers.

For specific information for contractors, homeowners, multi-unit structures, disposal, forms and to file a notification, visit www.pscleanair.org/asbestos . To read through some frequently asked questions about asbestos removal and demolition, click to www.pscleanair.org/regulated/asbestos/asbestos_faqs.aspx .

See you this summer!
Clean Air Agency heads out to the neighborhoods

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is looking forward to participating, and sponsoring, a couple great events this summer.

On July 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., we’ll be in Shoreline for the 4th annual "Sustainable Living and Renewable Energy Fair" presented by the Shoreline Solar Project. In addition to our information booth, agency staff will offer the presentation “Clean Heating Choices: Wood flame alternatives for the hearth.”

The fair will feature dozens of exhibits, other speakers, a Kids Zone, interactive displays, electronics recycling and more. Additionally, the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce is presenting "A Taste of Shoreline" so there will plenty to eat as you make your way around the event. The fair will be located at Meridian Park School at 175th & Meridian in Shoreline. Admission is free. More information can be found at www.shorelinesolar.org/fair4/fair.php .

If you can’t wait for the event to get ideas about sustainable living, visit our Web site at www.pscleanair.org/actions/energy/default.aspx to get check into energy efficiency, www.pscleanair.org/actions/vehicles/default.aspx to learn more about transportation choices, www.pscleanair.org/actions/woodstoves/choices.aspx for clean heating choices and www.pscleanair.org/actions/yardcare/default.aspx about yard care efforts that can help protect our air and climate.

Additionally, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is one of several agencies and community groups organizing and supporting this year's “Duwamish River Festival,” which takes place on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Duwamish River Park, 7900 10th Ave. S. in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle.

This is a free family-friendly environmental festival featuring updates on the Duwamish River Superfund cleanup, other air and water quality information, kayak tours on the river, live entertainment, water taxi rides, food, children’s activities, environmental health information, natural yard care tips and more.

Monthly air quality data summary: April*

The month-to-month air-quality improvement trend (beginning in November 2006) continued in April with 27 days in the “Good” category and only three days in the “Moderate” category. But it wasn’t rain that brought us our good air quality. This was one of the driest Aprils on record with SeaTac Airport receiving only 0.69 inches of precipitation for the month -- almost two inches below normal.

Temperatures at the airport were near normal with both high temperatures and low temperatures averaging about a half degree above normal for the month. High and low temperature extremes for the month occurred in the first week with a high of 78 degrees on the 6th and a low of 34 degrees on both the 1st and 3rd.

For data summaries of air quality monitored throughout our four-county region, click to http://www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqsumm/07-04.aspx .

*Because of the time it takes to review data for quality assurance and process data for reports, our air quality discussions in each “Newsline” edition will be two months previous. Thus our report for this edition is for April 2007.

Announcements

Current permits open for comment:
US Navy Naval Station Bremerton NSB, General Regulatory Permit No. 9608. Comment Period: June 25, 2007 to July 24, 2007.
For more information, visit: www.pscleanair.org/announce/permits/openpermits.aspx#navy

About the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

The mission of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is to ensure that people in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties have clean, healthy air to breathe. Our job is to provide air quality management services on behalf of cities and counties for their citizens. We do this by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality, and educating people and businesses about clean-air choices. To learn more about our work, visit us at www.pscleanair.org .

About the Clean Air Newsline

Clean Air Newsline is a monthly electronic newsletter to provide air quality information to the residents of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Subscribers receive the latest on air quality news, trends and projects that affect our local communities and the air we breathe. Feel free to pass the information along to others.

We also use the Newsline as needed to send timely and important messages about burn bans, Smog Watches and early calls to action when air quality deteriorates.

If you would like to subscribe, you can do so at http://www.pscleanair.org/news/agencynews.aspx . Be sure to select Clean Air Newsline to be added to the e-mailing list.