Monterey Bay Air Resources District

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This is an organizational summary created by students of the Watershed Systems (ENVS560) course at CSUMB

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. [1]

Mission

MBARD aims to balance air quality issues with the region's economic drivers while simultaneously protecting both public and environmental health. [1]

Management Responsibilities [2]

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 position (currently held by Richard Stedman), 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. [3]

Administrative

Board of Directors[4]

MBARD is governed by a board of directors consisting of 11 members. Board members must be elected officials from county or city governments within Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz counties. Below is a list of current board members as of April 2020:

Budget, Personnel, and Nominating Committee

This committee assists with the establishment of MBARD's annual budget and recommends staffing levels. It is comprised of five members of the board of directors.

Advisory Committee

MBARD's Advisory Committee reviews technical, social, environmental, and fiscal impacts of meeting agenda items that are set to go before the board of directors at future meetings. The committee then makes recommendations to the board of directors. Committee members are appointed by the board of directors. Each board member is allowed to appoint two members to the Advisory Committee. Committee members typically have extensive professional experience in their fields or represent local interest groups of the community.

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 make recommendations regarding their enforceability.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
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