Q: How was the council formed?
A: The council was formed through Senate Bill 1142, which was approved by the Idaho Senate and House and signed into effect by Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne in March 2005. This created the Treasure Valley and Regional Air Quality Act. Sen. David Langhorst, D-Boise, sponsored the bill.
Q: Why was the council formed?
A: As stated in Section 1, Title 39, Chapter 6701 of the bill: "The legislature finds that the air quality in certain regions of the state is threatened with deterioration. This deterioration may endanger the breathability, economic potential, public health, natural beauty, recreational use and livability in various regions of the state. It is the intent of the legislature in establishing this chapter to preserve and protect the air quality of the entire state."
Q: What is the timeline for the Council?
A: The Council is mandated by the act to submit its first draft of an air quality plan by July 1, 2006. This study will be available to all appropriate and interested local, state, and federal agencies and to any interested parties. Written suggestions, comments or proposals for the plan can be submitted to the council by any agency or interested party for a period of 90 days after July 1.
Then, the council will prepare a final air quality plan to be completed 180 days after dissemination of the study (July 1, 2006). One or more public hearings will take place, with the council allotted 30 days after such hearings to make changes or revisions to the plan. Finally, the council must submit a final air quality plan to the Idaho legislature prior to its next regular session (January, 2007).
The legislature will then consider adopting the plans into public policy. Thereafter, the council shall assist in the implementation of the provisions of the plan.
Q: How were the members of the council selected?
A: The 14 members of the council were appointed by Governor Dirk Kempthorne on November 4, 2005, including chairman Pete O'Neill. The make-up of the council, laid out by legislation, includes: one member each from the Ada County Commission and the Canyon County Commission; one elected official from city government in Ada and Canyon County; two members representing agricultural interests; two representing commercial interests; two who represent manufacturing or food processing; two who represent environmental organizations; and two at large members.
Q: How has the council and how will the council work together towards a common goal despite having many members that represent different constituents-from businesses to local governments?
A: We have been very happy with the professionalism and the level of dedication demonstrated by the members of this council. The members of this council were appointed by Governor Dirk Kempthorne with diverse representation in mind, and needed, from the Treasure Valley region. Air quality affects everyone, not just politicians or farmers or businesses. Everyone needs to have concern over air quality in the Treasure Valley and the makeup of this council reflects a wide range of those needed to be involved in the process.
Q: Is it the intent of the council to make emissions testing a mandate throughout the entire Treasure Valley?
A: The purpose of the council is to develop an air quality plan for the Treasure Valley that will include the most prudent and productive control measure. In accomplishing this, the council will evaluate what new control measures exist and what improvements can be made to current control measures in the Treasure Valley. Emissions testing is one control measure that will be evaluated by the council-specifically, whether it is productive enough in its current state or if improvements need to be made to test for an extended list of pollutants.
Q: What is the difference between the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council and the Ada County Air Quality Board?
A: The Treasure Valley Air Quality Council was formed through the Treasure Valley and Regional Air Quality Council Act. It's directive from the Idaho Legislature is "to protect, preserve and, where necessary, improve he quality of air...while accommodating private, public and commercial activities." To accomplish this, the council will evaluate all air pollutants and control strategies for the Treasure Valley and submit an air quality plan for review in the 2007 Idaho Legislative session.
The Ada County Air Quality Board was established by ordinances passed by the elected officials in Ada County and the cities in the county. The Air Quality Board administers the emissions testing program for motor vehicles in Ada County by licensing stations to perform the emissions test. The standards that the Air Quality Board follows come from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has established these standards through the Clean Air Act to protect public health and the environment.
Q: Why should the Treasure Valley citizens by concerned with air quality?
A: Not only is it the right thing to do, but if we don't do it the federal government will do it for us. Air quality in the Treasure Valley is something we should take pride in and strive to improve, especially with the population growth of the region projected to nearly double over the next 20 years. Leaders in the Treasure Valley should be conscious of the fact that the region has been close to non-attainment status in the past. With non-attainment status can come federal government restrictions, ramifications for future business growth, and a general stigma for the region.
The Idaho Legislature created this council due to its concern over air quality in the region. It states in the first paragraph of the Treasure Valley and Regional Air Quality Council Act that "The legislature finds that the air quality in certain regions of the state is threatened with deterioration. This deterioration may endanger the breathability, economic potential, public health, natural beauty, recreational use and livability in various regions of the state. It is the intent of the legislature in establishing this chapter to preserve and protect the air quality of the entire state."
Q: What are some of the challenges that this council faces?
A: On one hand, the council is dealing with yesterday's problems, yesterday's technologies and yesterday's processes. On the other hand, we're trying to address tomorrow's challenges. The council has tried to be balanced between evaluating and learning about current conditions and problems, in addition to planning and preparing for future concerns. The basis of why this council was formed is yet to come - to provide for the development of a Treasure Valley Air Quality Plan.
Q: How is the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council connected to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or the Ada County Air Quality Board?
A: While the Treasure Valley and Regional Air Quality Act created the council "within the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality" the council is not directly connected to either. The purpose of the council is not to be a supporter for the Ada County Air Quality Board's emissions testing or a sounding board for DEQ. What the legislation does say is that the council "shall be assisted in its work by the Department of Environmental Quality and other appropriate state and local agencies as needed." To be quite honest, we have sought out input form these agencies, as well as others, in gathering information. And we will continue to do so since they are the experts in their respective fields.
Q: How will the TVAQ Council accomplish its responsibilities as stated in the Treasure Valley and Regional Air Quality Act?
A: The council must identify and understand the causes behind air pollution in the Treasure Valley region before addressing and creating solutions. The council has expedited this process by calling on local, state and regional factions to give their input on air quality issues, not only in the Treasure Valley but also in regions that have had similar concerns.
Proactively and interactively communicating with those in the Treasure Valley community is vital to the council accomplishing its goals. Elected officials, business leaders, agricultural and commercial interests, as well as the community at-large, need to have a voice and will have a voice in this process.
Q: What are some of these issues?
A: Air quality in the Treasure Valley has been a concern of leaders since the 1980s when then-Boise Mayor Dirk Kempthorne engineered a ban on wood burning during inversions. Since that time, the importance of air quality has risen along with the region's population, traffic, construction, and business influx.
The Treasure Valley is located in a geographical area that, because of topography, is frequently affected by a stagnant air mass. Inversions in the winter months, coupled with ozone in the summer months, are two examples of what poor air quality into in the Treasure Valley. While there have been solutions implemented to curb the degree of air pollution in the region (i.e.wood-burning bans, emissions testing, new federal standards), there needs to be continued efforts by the Treasure Valley to sustain its grasp of the situation.
Avoiding non-attainment status is a concern for the region, as well. A non-attainment area is on where air pollution levels persistently exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If the Treasure Valley reached such a point, and it has come close in recent history, it would open the door for the federal government to implement additional restrictions and pressures on businesses. The potential for business growth in the surrounding area could also diminish.
With these factors in mind, there needs to be a balance for the council between addressing air quality issues that are "in the now" and those issues that may be affecting the Treasure Valley region in the future. The enormous growth in population, traffic flow, home and commercial construction, and businesses to the Treasure Valley will only continue to put a strain on the air quality.
