La Grande Air Quality Maintenance Plan

(Click to enlarge) La Grande maintenance area

On June 19, 2006, EPA approved the Maintenance Plan and associated rules and EPA has changed the legal status of La Grande from nonattainment to attainment for PM₁₀ effective July 19, 2006.

• Formal EPA approval and change in status PDF

Historical

In 1991, the City of La Grande became a nonattainment area for particulate matter (PM₁₀). Previously, DEQ established a PM₁₀ monitor in La Grande and monitored high levels of PM₁₀ in the airshed. The PM₁₀ concentrations were high enough to cause a violation of the air quality standard also known as National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This violation meant two things. DEQ needed to write a plan to bring La Grande back into compliance with the standard. The plan needed to be approved by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, added restrictions would be placed on La Grande to limit new and expanding industries, and significant transportation projects would need to be reviewed to determine their compliance with the plan. The plan and rules addressing La Grande industry were prepared by DEQ in October 1991 and adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC).

The City decided to establish an Air Quality Coordinator staff person and an ongoing air quality commission to provide direction on improving the air quality in La Grande. Several projects were conducted yearly in La Grande to improve the air, including a voluntary woodstove advisory program, a public awareness program, restrictions on open burning and a school-aged children education program. Additionally, a woodstove replacement program was implemented to help low income individuals replace their uncertified woodstove. The program was successful. Ambient air quality PM₁₀ concentrations have been reduced over the years. On February 15, 1995, EPA acknowledged that La Grande had not exceeded the standards since implementing its control strategies.

On August 11, 2005, the EQC approved a revised the State Implementation Plan including the proposed La Grande PM₁₀ maintenance plans and supporting appendices, and adopted the associated industrial rules.

Supporting documents

• La Grande PM₁₀ Maintenance Plan PDF
• Appendix 9-1 Glossary PDF
• Appendix 9-2 Technical Analysis PDF
• Appendix 9-3 2003 Air Quality Surveillance Network PDF
• Appendix 9-4 Emission Inventory Narrative PDF (3mb)
• Appendix 9-5a 1986 PM₁₀ La Grande & Pendleton PDF
• Appendix 9-5b 1993 PM₁₀ Monitoring PDF
• Appendix 9-5c PM_2.5 Survey Report PDF
• Appendix 9-6 Conformity PDF
• Appendix 9-7a Population Growth Trends PDF
• Appendix 9-7b Population Growth Trends PDF
• Appendix 9-7c Population and Housing PDF
• Appendix 9-8 2001 Design Value for Willow Street PDF
• Appendix 9-8b Projected Growth Table 2.7.7 PDF

[print version]