Difference between revisions of "Monterey Bay Air Resources District"
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===Planning=== | ===Planning=== | ||
| + | The planning division upholds the responsibility of developing long-range air quality improvement plans. The division oversees grant programs and their administration. Planning also ensures that the district's rules, grant programs, and other activities are compliant with the [[CEQA Overview | California Environmental Quality Act]]. | ||
===Monitoring=== | ===Monitoring=== | ||
Revision as of 14:48, 5 April 2020
Contents
Overview
The Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) is a regional regulatory agency that oversees the monitoring and management of air quality issues across Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties in California's Central Coast region. This tri-county area forms what is known as the North Central Coast Air Basin. MBARD is one of 35 regional air districts (sometimes referred to as air quality management districts or air pollution control districts) who report to the California Air Resources Board.
Mission
MBARD aims to balance air quality issues with the region's economic drivers while simultaneously protecting both public and environmental health.
Management Responsibilities
MBARD is tasked with a wide range of responsibilities that include:
- Air quality monitoring
- Permitting
- Source testing
- Enforcement
- Long-range air quality planning
- Regulatory development
- Education and public outreach
Organizational Structure
Executive
Comprised of the Air Pollution Control Officer and their assistant, the executive division of MBARD oversees the coordination, direction, and management of the district's functions to promote healthy air quality across the jurisdiction. This branch is also responsible for guiding policies such as district rules and long-range air quality planning strategies. The division maintains a working relationship with state and federal agencies which supports policy guidance at both the state and national levels.
Administrative
MBARD's administrative division oversees the district's budget and accounting, administration of benefits, risk management, human resources, facilities, and fleet management.
Compliance
The compliance division is responsible for inspections and investigations of air pollution sources. Compliance upholds MBARD's rules and develops/implements enforcement procedures. The division reviews proposed district rules and makes recommendations regarding their enforceability.
Engineering
MBARD's engineering division upholds the responsibility of issuing or denying permits to construct or operate facilities or equipment that contribute to the degradation of air quality. Engineering continually monitors stationary sources of air pollutants and makes recommendations to both the Air Pollution Control Officer and industrial representatives regarding how emissions can be reduced. Furthermore, the division evaluates the district's rules and makes recommendations for improvement.
Planning
The planning division upholds the responsibility of developing long-range air quality improvement plans. The division oversees grant programs and their administration. Planning also ensures that the district's rules, grant programs, and other activities are compliant with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Monitoring
MBARD's air monitoring division is responsible for reporting air quality conditions to the public. The division maintains seven permanent air sampling stations and ensures their effective installation, repair, calibration, and modification. Air monitoring conducts primary data analysis on air quality data and is required to report regional air quality conditions, statistics, and division activities to the California Air Resources Board on a monthly basis. As needed, the division also carries out special air monitoring and meteorologic projects where temporary air sampling stations are deployed. Temporary sampling stations monitor conditions around events that may impact public health such as large structural fires, prescribed fire, or wildfire.
Central Coast Context
Example Work/Projects
Related Links
History
MBARD was formed in xxxx year following the passage of the Federal Clean Air Act and California Clean Air Act.
