Monterey Bay Air Resources District
Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 Legal Status/Authority
- 3 Governance
- 4 Organizational Structure
- 5 Central Coast Context
- 6 Example Work/Projects
- 7 Related Links
- 8 History
- 9 Management Responsibilities
- 10 Air Monitoring
- 11 Planning
- 12 References
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.
Legal Status/Authority
Governance
Organizational Structure
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.
Management Responsibilities
- Air quality monitoring
- Permitting
- Source testing
- Enforcement
- Long-range air quality planning
- Regulatory development
- Education and public outreach
Air Monitoring
MBARD's air monitoring division is responsible for reporting air quality conditions to the public throughout the district's tri-county region. 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.