From: GINSBURG Andy

Sent: Tue Jul 31 16:59:03 2012

To: REP Garrard

Subject: FW: Rulemaking - Klamath Falls PM2.5 Attainment Plan - Garrard

Importance: Normal

July 31, 2012

The Honorable Bill Garrard

Oregon State Representative

District 56

900 Court St. NE., H-480

Salem, OR 97301

Dear Representative Garrard:

The Department of Environmental Quality is proposing to adopt rules as part of an attainment plan that will bring the Klamath Falls area into compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate, or PM_2.5, by the federal deadline of December 2014. These rules and the attainment plan are an amendment to Oregon’s Air Quality State Implementation Plan. The attainment plan specifies how the community will meet the particulate standard, including who will conduct the work, and when and how it will be done.

The attainment plan, based on recommendations from the Klamath Falls citizen advisory committee, is a comprehensive mixture of emission reduction strategies. The plan also provides contingency measures to meet the fine particulate standard should the community fail to reduce particulate emissions by the 2014 deadline.

Since residential wood burning emissions comprise most of the harmful particulate emissions in Klamath Falls, most of the proposed particulate reductions will come from enhancements to the community’s woodstove curtailment program, implemented through local ordinances. Other attainment strategies include continuing the program of replacing polluting uncertified woodstoves, a public awareness and education program, and DEQ rules requiring reasonably available controls to reduce particulate from industrial sources. The proposed attainment plan will aid the state and the community in controlling emissions to ensure clean air in Klamath Falls.

Enclosed is a Rulemaking Announcement that outlines the public comment and public hearing opportunities. If you have questions or comments, please call me at (503) 229-5397. 

Sincerely,

Andy

Andy Ginsburg

Air Quality Administrator
Oregon Department Of Environmental Quality