Plan for Addressing Air Quality Issues in Pinehurst's PM-10 Noncompliant Zone
In the small town of Pinehurst, Idaho, the battle against air pollution began in earnest in November 1991, with the enactment of Resolution No. 68 regarding residential wood burning. This marked the start of a series of measures aimed at controlling wood burning in the area, a key contributor to particulate matter (PM) emissions.
The town's efforts were formalised with the submission of a PM attainment plan on April 14, 1992. The plan, which was designed to bring the area into compliance with the PM National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on August 25, 1994.
The EPA's effective date for the original area was October 24, 1994. The strategy, which focused on the control of residential wood combustion, relied on a core control strategy for PM-10 known as "over control." Idaho adopted these measures on July 13, 1995, and submitted them to the EPA on August 16, 1996.
In 1990, the Shoshone County, which includes Pinehurst, was designated nonattainment for PM and classified as moderate upon enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments. The Contingency Measures, which included "over control" from the wood smoke control measures, were approved by the EPA on October 2, 2014.
The EPA's effective date for both areas regarding the approval of the "over control" measures was November 3, 2014. However, the designation status in 40 CFR part 81 remains moderate nonattainment for both areas until Idaho meets the CAA requirements for redesignations to attainment.
Interestingly, Idaho also submitted a PM attainment plan revision for an area outside the city of Pinehurst, which was designated nonattainment in January 1994. The EPA approved the plan revision on May 26, 1995, and the EPA's effective date for the additional area was July 25, 1995.
On August 23, 2001, the EPA published a finding that the two areas had attained the PM standard by their respective attainment dates. Despite this, the designation status remains unchanged, highlighting the ongoing efforts required to maintain clean air in these regions.
In 2023, the surveillance program for controlling wood burning in the Idaho area was discontinued for unspecified reasons, with its renewal being submitted to the EPA. The journey towards cleaner air in Pinehurst and its surrounding areas continues, with the community and authorities working together to ensure compliance with air quality standards.
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