Community Air Grant - Kings County Community Monitoring Project
Summary
SCH Number
2019018493
Public Agency
California Air Resources Board
(ARB)
Document Title
Community Air Grant - Kings County Community Monitoring Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/28/2019
Document Description
Community air grants funds will be used to conduct outreach and provide educational materials in communities where air-monitoring networks are located. The project will use a community-driven process (through an existing community steering committee) to determine locations for installation of air monitoring devices (approx 20) to supplement the current Particulate Matter (PM) monitor network. Up to 15 air monitors will monitor for PM as part of the Identifying Violations Affecting Neighborhoods (IVAN) Air network for monitoring PM. Up to five monitors will be installed to monitor methane as part of a methane-monitoring plan to be developed. Community air grant funds will also be used to assemble five methane monitors, which will be comprised of multiple components including the Alphasense methane sensor, temperature and humidity sensors, circuit board and microcontroller, cellular modem, and enclosure. The methane monitors would be set up to report readings to IVAN servers. Monitor stations will be installed in accordance with U.S. EPA and CARB guidance documents on siting (U.S. EPA Siting Methods) and require no modifications, trenching, or conversion of siting locations. Installation may involve installing a five-foot aluminum pole to mount monitor, which is removable and not always necessary depending on the location. The project will include outreach and community engagement to increase awareness, knowledge, and participation in air quality issues and maintaining the community air monitoring equipment working properly.
Contact Information
Name
Rachel Pallatin
Agency Name
Air Resources Board
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Fresno, Kings
Other Location Info
southwestern portion of counties
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, community focus groups, air monitoring, and upgrades to IVAN network.
The project also qualifies as a class 6 exemption under article 19 of categorical exemptions, S 15306, b/c the activities proposed involve collection of information and does not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.
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 structures and as a class 11 exemption under Article 19, S 15311 b/c the activities consist of construction of minor structures accessory or appurtenant to existing facilities. The monitors are small devices that will be comprised of multiple components including the Alphasense methane sensor, temperature and humidity sensors, circuit board and microcontroller, cellular modem, and enclosure. Installation may involves installing a five-foot aluminum pole to mount monitor, which is removable and not always necessary depending on the location. The proposed installation 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.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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