Community Air Grant- Southern California Tribal Community Air Monitoring Network
Summary
SCH Number
2018128545
Public Agency
California Air Resources Board
(ARB)
Document Title
Community Air Grant- Southern California Tribal Community Air Monitoring Network
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/21/2018
Document Description
The Southern California Tribal Community Air Monitoring Network project will use community air grant funds to establish a monitoring network for Southern California Tribes in San Diego and Riverside Counties. As part of the project, three monitors will be placed on the Pala Reservation alongside existing monitoring equipment, initially, for calibration purposes. A total of six monitors will deployed over the first year. These monitors will be located on Tribal lands. The monitors are low voltage, small, approx 14"x12"x8". Each monitor will contain sensors from Alphasense to measure PM 2.5, PM 10, NO2, O3. They can be secured easily on a pole, building or home residence once permission from property owners is obtained. The data collection from these monitors will be displayed in real time, along with historical data, on a website that will be developed for this purpose. The monitors will collect data for PM 2.5, PM 10, NO2, O3. A yearly report will provide that analyzes the air quality data. In year two, the monitors will be reviewed and evaluated for potential relocation and a second yearly report provided. Finally, at the conclusion of the grant period, a community meeting will be held to discuss lessons learned, and next steps. Throughout this multiyear process, grant funds will also be used to facilitate collaboration with other tribes by providing outreach materials, workshops, and creation of a website for Tribal members and Tribal Air Program Managers will receive training, to build community capacity, on maintaining the monitors.
Contact Information
Name
Rachel Pallatin
Agency Name
Air Resources Board
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Riverside, San Diego
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15061b3, 15301, 15306, 15311
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with CEQA, the use of the common sense exemption is based on the "general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment." The use of this exemption is appropriate if it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment." With certainty, there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The project consists of community outreach activities, education and training program, community workshop or meeting, and monitoring. The monitors' relatively small size and ease of installation and removal support this assertion. The project also qualifies as a class 6 exemption under article 19 of categorical exemptions, 15306, b/c the activities proposed involve collection of info and does not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The community air grant funds are proposed to be used to conduct an air monitoring study over three years to study patterns of local air pollution. Funds will be used to deploy approx six air quality air monitors to monitor O3, PM10, PM2.5, NO2. The project also qualifies as a class 1 exemption under Article 19 of categorical exemptions, section 15301, b/c the activities proposed involve minor alteration of existing public structures and as a class 11 exemption under article 19, section 15311 b/c the activities consist of construction of minor structures accessory or appurtenant to existing facilities. The air monitoring devices are small devices, typically installed or mounted on walls, panels or poles. Typical installation of the devices does not involve construction, trenching or ground disturbing activities. The proposed deployment does not expand existing use of the structures. The project will not result in any specific or general exceptions to the use of categorical exemption as detailed under CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2, b/c the project will not cause an impact to an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern nor does the project have unusual circumstances that could possibility have a significant effect on the environment. The project would not result in impacts to scenic highways, hazardous waste sites, historic resources, or other sensitive natural environments, or have a cumulative effect to the environment. No significant environmental impacts are anticipated to occur.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.