Klamath Falls

(Click to enlarge) Klamath Falls nonattainment area Boundary set by EPA 12/18/08. Klamath Falls Urban Growth Boundary and City Limit based on Oregon's Land Use Planning Laws

• On Dec. 6, 2012, the Environmental Quality Commission adopted the 2012 Klamath Falls PM_2.5 Attainment Plan
• Klamath Falls PM_2.5 Attainment Plan Fact Sheet  

  Because of topography, weather and a large number of woodstoves, the Klamath Falls area has a long history of identifying problems with particulate pollutions and working to solve them. With increased understanding of the health effects of particulates, EPA has made the standards more protective over time, addressing smaller sized particles that are the most hazardous but more difficult to control. Since 1994, the Klamath Falls area has attained the larger or coarse (PM₁₀) particulate matter standard. In 2009, with the adoption of a fine particulate (PM_2.5) matter standard, EPA changed the legal status of the Klamath Falls Area from attainment (meeting air quality standards) to nonattainment (not meeting air quality standards) for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). DEQ has adopted an attainment plan with associated regulations to ensure that the Klamath Falls area meets the current PM_2.5 standard.

  Historical Timeline

  1991: The EQC adopts a PM₁₀ attainment plan which includes emission reduction strategies for: Woodstove and open burning curtailment, winter road sanding controls, public education programs, and agreements with Forestry and Agriculture agencies. The Klamath Falls Urban Growth Boundary is in nonattainment for PM₁₀

  1994: Klamath Falls is in compliance with the standards.

  1999: DEQ establishes a PM_2.5 monitor in Klamath Falls and monitors high levels of PM_2.5 in the airshed.

  2002 DEQ prepares and the EQC adopts a PM₁₀ Maintenance Plan for Klamath Falls:
  Klamath Falls UGB PM₁₀ Maintenance Plan
  Appendix 6-1 Technical Analysis Protocol
  Appendix 6-2 Klamath Falls UGB Monitoring Network
  Appendix 6-3 PM₁₀ Saturation Survey
  Appendix 6-4 Emission Inventory and Forecast
  Appendix 6-5 Conformity
  Appendix 6-6 Population and Historical Growth Trends
  Appendix 6-7 Klamath County Ordinance and other agreements
  Appendix 6-8 Design Value and 2015 Projections

  2003: EPA approves the Maintenance Plan and associated rules for the Klamath Falls Maintenance area for coarse particulate matter (PM₁₀). The legal status of the Klamath Falls area changes from nonattainment to attainment for PM₁₀. The Urban Growth Boundary is now in attainment for coarse particulate matter (PM₁₀).

  2006: EPA revises PM_2.5 standard.

  2007: Klamath County revises its Clean Air Ordinance which further limits the use of woodburning devices inside the home and outdoor burning during the winter months when high levels of PM_2.5 are evident. Woodstove replacement programs are implemented to help low income individuals replace their uncertified woodstoves with cleaner units.

  2009: Klamath Falls along with Oakridge are designated Nonattainment for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) by EPA. PM_2.5 concentrations are high enough to cause a violation of the 24 hour air quality standard also known as the National Ambient Ari Quality Standard (NAAQS).

  2012: The EQC adopts the Klamath Falls PM_2.5 Attainment Plan for Klamath Falls. The plan is submitted to the EPA.