COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Board of Supervisors

DATE:

July 24, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 12, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Supervisor Jerry Hill, Second District

SUBJECT:

Resolution in Support of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s “Leading the Way to Attainment: The Clean Air Consortium” Program.

Recommendation:

Adopt a resolution supporting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) “Leading the Way to Attainment: The Clean Air Consortium” program and authorizing departments to execute the voluntary agreement to reduce air pollution especially on BAAQMD Spare the Air days.

Key Facts:

1)

Reducing or changing procedures that reduce air pollution is important in order to meet federal air standards and especially important on BAAQMD Spare the Air days as:

a.

unhealthy air exacerbates asthmatic conditions, and is at threat to children, seniors, pregnant women and exercising adults; and

b.

twice in the recent past, approximately 3.3 Billon Dollars in federal transportation funding has been threatened as a result of the region not meeting the federal one-hour ozone standard.

2.

The Department of Public Works and the Parks Division of the Environmental Services Agency - the primary departments that operate fueling facilities or use equipment with small gas engines - have made changes in their practices and are willing to “sign on” to the voluntary agreement associated with this BAAQMD program.

Discussion:

There has been increased awareness and concern over the last decade about pollution generated from non-road related mobile sources such as lawn and garden equipment. Research has shown that equipment with small gasoline combustion engines is a major contributor to air pollution in the Bay Area and throughout the United States. For example, during the summer in the Bay Area, gasoline-powered lawn mowers create nine (9) tons of pollution every day.

Recently the BAAQMD initiated a program which relies on public agencies such as San Mateo County, to lead the way in reducing air pollution by publicizing the actions we are taking to reduce air pollution. Participation in the program requires the agency or department to:

Ø

Agree to abide by the enclosed checklist;

Ø

Sign the attached voluntary agreement;

Ø

Allow the Air District to list our name publicly as an active participant;

Ø

Publicize our participation as a part of on-going public outreach efforts; and

Ø

Participate in brief e-mail surveys designed to document our clean air efforts on Spare the Air days.

I have discussed this program with Public Works and Environmental Services and both Departments have previously implemented the majority of the actions on the Clean Air Consortium Checklist, are willing to make the commitment to “sign on” to this program, with Public Works agreeing to continue to provide “Spare the Air Day” information to all County employees through the use of the County e-mail system.

Vision Alignment:

I believe my recommendation is consistent with Goal Number 22, “County and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County,” of the Shared Vision Commitment to be a “responsive, effective and collaborative government,” as support of this program will help us keep the air we all breath clean and safe.

Fiscal Impact:

There is no impact to any fund of the County by adopting the proposed resolution as the program is entirely voluntary, and Public Works is currently providing information to County staff on Spare the Air days.

A form of resolution has been approved by County Counsel.