DEQ seeks comment on draft air quality maintenance plan, redesignation request for Pinehurst

PINEHURST– The Idaho Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) is seeking public comment on a draft limited air quality maintenance plan and redesignation request for Pinehurst. The plan will be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval.

The PM10 Limited Maintenance Plan and Request for Redesignation of the Pinehurst PM10 Nonattainment Area and Pinehurst Expansion PM10 Nonattainment Area in Idaho explains how the areas have attained PM10 national air quality standards and will maintain compliance for the next 10 years.

PM10 is airborne particulate matter 10 microns or smaller in diameter. When inhaled, these particles can reach deep into lung tissue and cause respiratory disease and lung damage.

The Pinehurst area first violated PM10 air quality standards in the 1980s and was formally designated a moderate PM10 nonattainment area with passage of the Clean Air Act in 1990. The nonattainment designation was expanded to include additional area in 1994.

In response to the nonattainment designations, DEQ developed a State Implementation Plan that included various control measures to reduce the area’s pollution. As a result of those measures, no air quality standards violations have occurred since 2001. Both areas have been attaining PM10 air quality standards since August 2001. However, the areas remain designated as moderate nonattainment until DEQ meets the Clean Air Act requirements for redesignations to attainment. DEQ is now requesting redesignation for both areas by submitting a limited maintenance plan for PM10 per the Clean Air Act.

A public hearing on the plan will be held August 11, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. PDT at Pinehurst City Hall, 106 N. Division St. Written and oral comments will be accepted at the hearing.

The plan is available for review at DEQ’s state office in Boise and on DEQ’s website (download at right).

The deadline for submitting written comments on the plan outside of the public hearing is August 11, 2017, at 4 p.m. PDT.

Submit comments electronically on DEQ’s website or by mail or email to:

Pascale Warren

DEQ State Office

Air Quality Division

1410 N. Hilton

Boise, ID 83706

Email: pascale.warren@deq.idaho.gov