Comment Log Display

I am a fourth-generation native of Imperial Valley. I have
moderate-to-severe asthma, so air quality is extremely important to
me. 

I am writing to respectfully encourage  the State Air Resources
Board to approve the Imperial County PM10 State Implementation
Plan.

I strongly believe that the SIP is a strong step toward improving
our air quality in Imperial County, and have seen an improvement in
the air quality here within the last few years.

The State Implementation Plan was developed with the cooperation
of numerous community groups, including business, community,
military, agriculture and academic groups, as well as
representatives from the California Highway Patrol, and local,
state and federal air agencies.

Since 2006, the only days the county has exceeded the PM10 limits
have been days with extreme high wind events or events directly
related to PM10 carryover from Mexico. The populated areas of
Imperial County lie between two large open desert areas. Our
prevailing winds are from the West, and during extreme high wind
events, the wind stirs up the light sand from the desert to our
West and carries it through the populated areas of Imperial County.
Windblown dust accounts for about 70% of our PM10 emissions.

The State Implementation Plan demonstrates our community’s efforts
to adopt measures like the Regulation VIII fugitive dust rules in
order to reduce PM10 levels in Imperial County. Cropland accounts
for nearly 1/3 of the area in Imperial County, and yet windblown
dust from cropland accounts for just 4% of PM10 levels.

The businesses and citizens in the County have shown a willingness
to work closely with the Imperial County Air Pollution Control
District to continue improving air quality in the County, and I
feel the State Implementation Plan is an important part of this
cooperative effort. 

Once again, I encourage the State Air Resources Board to approve
the Imperial County PM10 State Implementation Plan.

Sincerely,
Candace R Nelson
Imperial, CA