Information on the proposed updates to Air Quality Regulations and Eagle River and Juneau Limited Maintenance Plans - 2020
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) proposes to change its air quality regulations to adopt by reference revised federal air quality regulations, adopt the 2nd 10-year PM-10 Limited Maintenance Plans for Eagle River and Juneau, adopt federal requirements that identify what triggers a contingency measure in nonattainment and maintenance areas statewide, and adopt an updated policy manual from the National Fireplace Institute.
On September 29, 2010, the State of Alaska submitted the first 10-year Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) and requested that EPA find the plan complete and approve the re-designation of the Eagle River nonattainment area to attainment under the LMP option. On October 19, 2010, the EPA determined that Eagle River nonattainment area had attained the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), effective December 20, 2010; Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 201, 64162 (PDF). On January 7, 2013, the EPA approved the LMP and concurrently re-designated the area to attainment for the PM10 NAAQS, effective March 8, 2013; Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 4, 900 (PDF).
On May 8, 2009, the State of Alaska submitted the first 10-year LMP for the Mendenhall Valley nonattainment area and requested that EPA redesignate the area to attainment for PM10. On May 9, 2013, the EPA approved the LMP and concurrently re-designated the area to attainment for the PM10 NAAQS, effective July 8, 2013; Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 90, 27071 (PDF).
Under the provisions in the Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 175 A (United States Code (USC) Title 42 Section 7505(b)), States are required to submit a revision to the first 10-year LMP 8 years after the EPA approves the original re-designation. In the EPA Limited Maintenance Plan Option Guidance (LMP Guidance), States can prepare the required second 10-year maintenance plan if the area meets the qualification criteria. The draft Second 10-Year LMPs were developed to explain how Eagle River and Mendenhall Valley would continue to meet 1987 NAAQS for PM10 through 2033.
The public review period lasted for 50 days and included a tentative public hearing via teleconference. The review period began on April 26, 2020, and ended June 15, 2020.
A tentative public hearing will be held, if requested, at the time below when the public comment period is opened. Please find details on the tentative public hearing in the Public Notice (PDF).
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 29, 2020 | 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Via Teleconference | Public Hearing |
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