CLARK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM
|
Petitioner: |
Marci Henson, Department of Environment and Sustainability |
Recommendation:
title
Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Environment and Sustainability to submit a letter to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection providing Clark County's area designation recommendations for the 2024 particulate matter 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard so the recommendations may be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (For possible action)
body
FISCAL IMPACT:
|
Fund #: |
N/A |
Fund Name: |
N/A |
|
Fund Center: |
N/A |
Funded PGM/Grant: |
N/A |
|
Amount: |
N/A |
|
Description: |
N/A |
|
Additional Comments: |
N/A |
BACKGROUND:
On March 6th, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5). This revision lowered the primary standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9. When establishing a new NAAQS or revising an existing one, EPA must designate areas as meeting (attainment) or not meeting (nonattainment) the NAAQS. In response to this revision of the PM2.5 NAAQS, the Department of Environment and Sustainability, Division of Air Quality (DAQ) seeks to submit a letter to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) with the recommended designation of "attainment" or "unclassifiable," as applicable, for the new standard so the recommendations may be included in the Governor's initial designation recommendation for Nevada.
The "attainment" designation is supported by complete, certified, and quality-assured air quality data from the most recent three-year period (2021-2023) that finds Clark County is in attainment of both the annual and 24-hour primary PM2.5 NAAQS. Accordingly, the attached letter recommends a designation of "attainment" for Hydrographic Areas 212, 222, and 164A, and a designation of "unclassifiable" for the remaining portions of Clark County.