Critical

Hearing

Board

Meeting

on

October

14

to

Decide

Future

of

SVRA Dust Control Work

On October 14, 2022, starting at 9:00 a.m., there will be a SLO Air Pollution Control District Hearing Board meeting to receive public comment and to consider dueling applications by State Parks and Gary Willey, the Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO), to modify the existing SVRA Stipulated Order of Abatement (SOA). State Parks is expected to ask the Hearing Board to reduce the SOA PM10 mass emissions reduction goal from a 50% reduction to a 40.7% reduction, based on computer modeled estimates of dune dust emission conditions that existed before significant vehicle recreation began on the dunes. The APCO will also apply for a change to the SOA, through which he accepts using pre-disturbance emission levels as the goal, but proposes changes in how the modeling is to be done. The APCO also proposes to extend the terms of the SOA two years beyond 2023. Concerned Citizens for Clean Air opposes any changes to the existing SOA. We urge our supporters to send written comments Hearing Board and/or speak at the Hearing Board Meeting on the 14th. The Hearing Board’s decisions will decide the future of the SVRA dust reduction work in the coming year and for who knows how long thereafter. Here are key points the Hearing Board needs to hear: • The Stipulated Order of Abatement process exists for one fundamental reason: Particulate matter from the dunes remains a critical public health issue. More and more studies demonstrate how detrimental exposure is to the human body. • Therefore, any change that reduces, or threatens to reduce the compliance target from a 50 percent emissions reduction should be rejected out of hand. • The proposed work plan includes 59 acres of dust mitigation in the WSP/CLT (plover) nesting enclosure. This, too, must be rejected. State Parks has already taken credit for the nesting area closure. Furthermore, it is all but certain that the proposal will not be approved since the area is an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area. • Any proposed extension of the Stipulated Order of Abatement term is unacceptable, since it would delay compliance with state air quality standards. Again, this is a health issue! We still expect compliance with state air quality standards by the end of 2023. The Hearing Board meeting will be conducted virtually by Zoom. Details on how to send in written comments and to participate or view the meeting can be found on the APCD Hearing Board web page ( click here ). ================================================================================

COVID-19 Constrained Action - Showing Up While Staying at Home

Many public bodies continue to hold public meeting via the Internet. We continue to actively monitor the situation. We monitor the air quality daily, and when the Air Quality Index reaches Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, we send complaints to the APCD. This lets them know we continue to be impacted by this public health hazard and remain actively engaged. We also track the progress of the PM reduction efforts in the riding areas, and provide comments to State Parks whenever it seeks public input. While we may not be able to show up in person, there are still many ways for us to deliver our message.

Wear a Clean Air

button when you

attend public

meetings to show

your support for

ending SVRA dust

pollution. Make our

presence known to

officials who have the

authority and

responsibility to

ensure that the dune

dust problem is

solved. CCCA will

make buttons

available with this

Clean Air logo at

meetings.

What Can You Do?

• Stay informed. • Educate yourself on the issues and facts. • Sign up for CCCA Updates. Send email request to ccca3858@gmail.com , or sign up at meetings where CCCA has an information table. • Monitor the air quality where you live and in your neighborhood; see Monitors and Alerts. • Complain to the APCD on bad air days. • Attend public meetings of officials who have a responsibility to get the problem solved. Speak out. • Support candidates and elected officials who support protecting public health by fixing the SVRA dust pollution problem.