SCAQMD RULE 403 FUGITIVE DUST LAST REVISED 07/09/93 (Adopted May 7, 1976)(Amended November 6, 1992)(Amended July 9, 1993) RULE 403. FUGITIVE DUST (a) Purpose The purpose of this rule is to reduce the amount of particulate matter entrained in the ambient air as a result of anthropogenic (man-made) fugitive dust sources by requiring actions to prevent, reduce or mitigate fugitive dust emissions. (b) Applicability The provisions of this rule shall apply to any activity or man-made condition capable of generating fugitive dust. (c) Definitions (1) ACTIVE OPERATIONS shall mean any activity capable of generating fugitive dust, including, but not limited to, earth-moving activities, construction/demolition activities, or heavy- and light-duty vehicular movement. (2) ANEMOMETERS are devices used to measure wind speed and direction in accordance with the performance standards, and maintenance and calibration criteria specified in the District's Rule 403 Implementation Handbook, dated July 1993. (3) BULK MATERIAL is sand, gravel, soil, aggregate material less than two inches in length or diameter, and other organic or inorganic particulate matter. (4) CHEMICAL STABILIZERS mean any non-toxic chemical dust suppressant which must not be used if prohibited for use by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the California Air Resources Board, the Environmental Protection Agency, or any applicable law, rule or regulation; and should meet any specifications, criteria, or tests required by any federal, state, or local water agency. Unless otherwise indicated, the use of a non-toxic chemical stabilizer shall be of sufficient concentration and application frequency to maintain a stabilized surface. (5) CONSTRUCTION/DEMOLITION ACTIVITIES are any on-site mechanical activities preparatory to or related to the building, alteration, rehabilitation, demolition or improvement of property, including, but not limited to the following activities; grading, excavation, loading, crushing, cutting, planing, shaping or ground breaking. (6) CONTRACTOR means any person who has a contractual arrangement to conduct an active operation for another person. (7) DISTURBED SURFACE AREA means a portion of the earth's surface which has been physically moved, uncovered, destabilized, or otherwise modified from its undisturbed natural soil condition, thereby increasing the potential for emission of fugitive dust. This definition excludes those areas which have: (A) been restored to a natural state, such that the vegetative ground cover and soil characteristics are similar to adjacent or nearby natural conditions; (B) been paved or otherwise covered by a permanent structure; or (C) sustained a vegetative ground cover over at least 95 percent of an area for a period of at least 6 months. (8) DUST SUPPRESSANTS are water, hygroscopic materials, or non-toxic chemical stabilizers used as a treatment material to reduce fugitive dust emissions. (9) EARTH-MOVING ACTIVITIES shall include, but not be limited to, grading, earth cutting and filling operations, loading or unloading of dirt or bulk materials, adding to or removing from open storage piles of bulk materials, landfill operations, or soil mulching. (10) FUGITIVE DUST means any solid particulate matter that becomes airborne, other than that emitted from an exhaust stack, directly or indirectly as a result of the activities of man. (11) INACTIVE DISTURBED SURFACE AREA means any disturbed surface area upon which active operations have not occurred or are not expected to occur for a period of ten consecutive days. (12) LARGE OPERATIONS means any active operations on property which contains in excess of 100 acres of disturbed surface area; or any earth-moving operation which exceeds a daily earth-moving or throughput volume of 7,700 cubic meters (10,000 cubic yards) three times during the most recent 365-day period. (13) NON-ROUTINE means any non-periodic active operation which occurs no more than three times per year, lasts less than 30 cumulative days per year, and is scheduled less than 30 days in advance. (14) OPEN STORAGE PILE is any accumulation of bulk material with 5 percent or greater silt content which is not fully enclosed, covered or chemically stabilized, and which attains a height of three feet or more and a total surface area of 150 or more square feet. Silt content level is assumed to be 5 percent or greater unless a person can show, by sampling and analysis in accordance with ASTM Method C-136 or other equivalent method approved in writing by the Executive Officer and the California Air Resources Board, that the silt content is less than 5 percent. The results of ASTM Method C-136 or equivalent method are valid for 60 days from the date the sample was taken. (15) PARTICULATE MATTER means any material, except uncombined water, which exists in a finely divided form as a liquid or solid at standard conditions. (16) PM10 is particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than or equal to 10 microns as measured by the applicable State and Federal reference test methods. (17) PROPERTY LINE means the boundaries of an area in which either a person causing the emission or a person allowing the emission has the legal use or possession of the property. Where such property is divided into one or more sub-tenancies, the property line(s) shall refer to the boundaries dividing the areas of all sub-tenancies. (18) REASONABLY AVAILABLE CONTROL MEASURES are techniques and procedures used to prevent or reduce the emission and airborne transport of fugitive dust. These include, but are not limited to, application of dust suppressants, use of coverings or enclosures, paving, enshrouding, planting, reduction of vehicle speeds, and other measures as specified by the Executive Officer. (A detailed listing of reasonably available control measures for each fugitive dust source type is contained in the Rule 403 Implementation Handbook, dated July 1993.) (19) SILT means any aggregate material with a particle size less than 74 micrometers in diameter which passes through a No. 200 Sieve. (20) SIMULTANEOUS SAMPLING means the operation of two PM10 samplers in such a manner that one sampler is started within five minutes of the other, and each sampler is operated for a consecutive period which must be not less than 290 minutes and not more than 310 minutes. (21) STABILIZED SURFACE means: (a) any disturbed surface area or open storage pile which is resistant to wind-driven fugitive dust; (b) any unpaved road surface in which any fugitive dust plume emanating from vehicular traffic does not exceed 20 percent opacity. (22) UNPAVED ROADS are any unsealed or unpaved roads, equipment paths, or travel ways that are not covered by one of the following: concrete, asphaltic concrete, or asphalt. Public unpaved roads are any unpaved roadway owned and maintained by Federal, State, county, municipal or other governmental or quasi-governmental agencies. Private unpaved roads are all other unpaved roadways not defined as public. (23) VISIBLE ROADWAY DUST means any sand, soil, dirt, or other solid particulate matter which is visible upon paved road surfaces and which can be removed by a vacuum sweeper or a broom sweeper under normal operating conditions. (24) WIND-DRIVEN FUGITIVE DUST means visible emissions from any disturbed surface area which is generated by wind action alone. (25) WIND GUST is the maximum instantaneous wind speed as measured by an anemometer. (d) Requirements (1) A person shall not cause or allow the emissions of fugitive dust from any active operation, open storage pile, or disturbed surface area such that the presence of such dust remains visible in the atmosphere beyond the property line of the emission source. (2) A person shall utilize one or more reasonably available control measures to minimize fugitive dust emissions from each fugitive dust source type which is part of any active operation. (3) A person shall not cause or allow PM10 levels to exceed 50 micrograms per cubic meter when determined, by simultaneous sampling, as the difference between upwind and downwind samples collected on high-volume particulate matter samplers or other EPA-approved equivalent method for PM10 monitoring. If sampling is conducted, samplers shall be: (A) Operated, maintained, and calibrated in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 50, Appendix J, or appropriate EPA- published documents for EPA-approved equivalent method(s) for PM10. (B) Reasonably placed upwind and downwind of key activity areas and as close to the property line as feasible, such that other sources of fugitive dust between the sampler and the property line are minimized. (4) A person shall: (A) prevent visible roadway dust from being deposited upon public paved roadways as a result of their operations for a cumulative distance of greater than 50 feet from any property access road during active operations; and (B) remove all visible roadway dust deposited upon public paved roadways as a result of active operations at the conclusion of each work day when active operations cease. (e) Special Requirements for Large Operations (1) Any person who conducts or authorizes the conducting of a large operation which is subject to the requirements of this rule shall either: (A) take the actions specified in Tables 1 and 2 for each applicable source of fugitive dust within the property lines and shall: (i) notify the Executive Officer not more than 7 days after qualifying as a large operation; (ii) include, as part of the notification, the items specified in subparagraphs (e)(3)(A) and (e)(3)(B); (iii)maintain daily records to document the specific actions taken; (iv) maintain such records for a period of not less than 6 months; and (v) make such records available to the Executive Officer upon request; or (B) obtain an approved fugitive dust emissions control plan (plan). (2) Any person subject to paragraph (e)(1) who elects to obtain an approved fugitive dust emission control plan must submit the plan to the Executive Officer no later than 30 days after the activity becomes a large operation. (3) Any plan prepared pursuant to subparagraph (e)(1)(B) shall include: (A) The name(s), address(es), and phone number(s) of the person(s) responsible for the preparation, submittal, and implementation of the plan; (B) A description of the operation(s), including a map depicting the location of the site; (C) A listing of all sources of fugitive dust emissions within the property lines; (D) A description of reasonably available control measures as applied to each of the sources identified in subparagraph (e)(3)(C). The description must be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate that such reasonably available control measures will be utilized and/or installed during all periods of active operations. (4) In the event that there are special technical (e.g., non-economic) circumstances, including safety, which prevent the use of at least one reasonably available control measure for any of the sources identified in subparagraph (e)(3)(C), a justification statement must be provided in lieu of the description required in subparagraph (e)(3)(D). The justification statement must explain the reason(s) why reasonably available control measures cannot be implemented. (5) Within 30 calendar days of the receipt of a plan submitted pursuant to subparagraph (e)(1)(B), the Executive Officer will either approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the plan , in writing. For a plan to be approved or conditionally approved, three conditions must be satisfied: (A) All sources of fugitive dust emissions must be identified (e.g., earth-moving, storage piles, vehicular traffic on unpaved roads, etc.). (B) For each source identified, at least one reasonably available control measure must be implemented, or an acceptable justification statement pursuant to paragraph (e)(4) must be provided; and (C) If, after implementation of control measures, visible dust emissions are crossing the property line(s), then contingency measures (e.g., increased watering) must be specified for immediate implementation. (6) Conditional approval will be made if conditions are met, but the stated measures do not satisfactorily conform to the guidance contained in the Rule 403 Implementation Handbook. If a plan is conditionally approved, the conditions necessary to modify the plan will be provided in writing to the person(s) identified in subparagraph (e)(3)(A). Such modifications must be incorporated into the plan within 30 days of the receipt of the notice of conditional approval, or the plan shall be disapproved. A letter to the Executive Officer stating that such modifications will be incorporated into the plan shall be deemed sufficient to result in approval of the plan. (7) If a plan is disapproved by the Executive Officer: (A) The reasons for disapproval shall be given to the applicant in writing. (B) Within 7 days of the receipt of a notice of a disapproved plan, the applicant shall comply with the actions specified in Tables 1 and 2 for each applicable source of fugitive dust within the property lines. (C) The applicant may resubmit a plan at any time after receiving a disapproval notification, but will not be relieved of complying with subparagraph (e)(7)(B) until such time as the plan has been approved. (8) Failure to comply with any of the provisions in an approved or conditionally approved plan shall be a violation of subdivision (e). (9) Any approved plan shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of approval or conditional approval of the plan. Plans must be resubmitted annually, at least 60 days prior to the expiration date, or the plan shall become disapproved as of the expiration date. If all fugitive dust sources and corresponding reasonably available control measures or special circumstances remain identical to those identified in the previously approved plan, the resubmittal may contain a simple statement of no- change. Otherwise, a resubmittal must contain all the items specified in subparagraphs (e)(3)(A through D). (10) Any person subject to the requirements of paragraph (e)(1) who no longer exceeds, and does not expect to exceed for a period of at least one year, the criteria for a large operation may request a reclassification as a non-large operation. To obtain this reclassification, a person must submit a request in writing to the Executive Officer specifying the conditions which have taken place to reduce the disturbed surface area and/or the earth-moving or throughput conditions to levels below the criteria for large operations. A person must further indicate that the criteria for large operations are not expected to be exceeded during the subsequent 12- month period. The Executive Officer shall either approve or disapprove the reclassification within 60 days from receipt of the reclassification request. The Executive Officer will disapprove the request if the indicated changes can not be verified to be below the criteria for large operations. If approved, the person shall be relieved of all requirements under subdivision (e). Any person so reclassified would again be subject to the requirements of subdivision (e) if at any time subsequent to the reclassification the criteria for large operations are met. (11) A person responsible for more than one large operation at non-contiguous sites may submit one plan covering multiple sites provided that: (A) the contents of the plan apply similarly to all sites; and (B) specific information is provided for each site, including, map of site location, address, description of operations, and a listing of all sources of fugitive dust emissions within the property lines. (f) Compliance Schedule All newly amended provisions of this rule shall become effective upon adoption of this Rule Amendment. Pursuant to subdivision (e), any fugitive dust emission control plan which has been approved or conditionally approved prior to the date of adoption of these amendments shall remain in effect and the plan approval date shall remain unchanged. If any changes to such plans are necessary as a result of these amendments, such changes shall not be required until the annual resubmittal date, pursuant to paragraph (e)(9). (g) Exemptions (1) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to: (A) Agricultural operations; (B) Any disturbed surface area less than one-half (1/2) acre on residential property; (C) Active operations conducted during emergency life-threatening situations, or in conjunction with any officially declared disaster or state of emergency. (D) Active operations conducted by essential service utilities to provide electricity, natural gas, telephone, water and sewer during periods of service outages and emergency disruptions. (E) Any contractor subsequent to the time the contract ends, provided that such contractor implemented reasonably available control measures during the contractual period. (F) Any grading contractor, for a phase of active operations, subsequent to the contractual completion of that phase of earth-moving activities, provided that reasonably available control measures have been implemented during the entire phase of earth-moving activities, through and including five days after the final grading inspection. (G) Weed abatement operations ordered by a county agricultural commissioner or any state, county, or municipal fire department, provided that: (i) mowing, cutting or other similar process is used which maintains weed stubble at least three inches above the soil; or (ii) any discing or similar operation which cuts into and disturbs the soil is used and meets the following conditions: [a] A determination is made by the issuing agency of the weed abatement order that, due to fire hazard conditions, rocks, or other physical obstructions, it is not practical to meet the conditions specified in clause (g)(1)(G)(i); and [b] Such determination is made in writing and provided to the person conducting the weed abatement operation prior to beginning such activity; and [c] Such written determination is provided to the Executive Officer upon request from the person conducting the weed abatement operation. (Note: The provisions of clause (g)(1)(G)(ii) do not exempt the owner of any property from controlling fugitive dust emissions emanating from disturbed surface areas which have been created as a result of the weed abatement actions.) (2) The provisions of paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(3) shall not apply: (A) When wind gusts exceed 25 miles per hour, provided that: (i) Reasonably available control measures for high wind conditions are implemented for each applicable fugitive dust source type, as specified in Table 1, and; (ii) Records are maintained in accordance with clauses (e)(1)(A)(iii), (e)(1)(A)(iv) and (e)(1)(A)(v); and (iii)In the event there are technical (e.g., non-economic) reasons, including safety, why any of the reasonably available control measures in Table 1 cannot be implemented for one or more fugitive dust source categories, a person submits a "High Wind Fugitive Dust Control Plan" (HW-Plan). The HW-Plan must further provide an alternative measure of fugitive dust control, if technically feasible. Such plan will be subject to the same approval conditions as specified in subparagraphs (e)(5) and (e)(6); (B) To unpaved roads, provided such roads: (i) are used for the maintenance of wind- generating equipment; or (ii) meet all of the following criteria: [a] are less than 50 feet in width at all points along the road; [b] are within 25 feet of the property line; and [c] have a traffic volume less than 20 vehicle-trips per day. (C) To any active operation, open storage pile, or disturbed surface area for which necessary fugitive dust preventive or mitigative actions are in conflict with the federal Endangered Species Act. (D) To non-routine or emergency maintenance of flood control channels and water spreading basins. (3) The provisions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) shall not apply to: (A) Blasting operations which have been permitted by the California Division of Industrial Safety; and (B) Motion picture, television, and video production activities when dust emissions are required for visual effects. In order to obtain this exemption, the Executive Officer must receive notification in writing at least 72 hours in advance of any such activity. (4) The provisions of paragraph (d)(3) shall not apply if the dust control actions, as specified in Table 2, are implemented on a routine basis for each applicable fugitive dust source type. To qualify for this exemption, a person must: (A) maintain records to document the dates of active operations, all applicable fugitive dust source types, and the actions taken consistent with Table 2; (B) retain such records for a period of at least six months; and (C) make such records available to the Executive Officer upon request. (5) The provisions of paragraph (d)(4) shall not apply to earth coverings of public paved roadways where such coverings are approved by a local government agency for the protection of the roadway, and where such coverings are used as roadway crossings for haul vehicles. (6) The provisions of subdivision (e) shall not apply to: (A) officially-designated public parks and recreational areas, including national parks, national monuments, national forests, state parks, state recreational areas, and county regional parks; (B) any construction and/or earth-moving activity in which the completion date is expected to be less than 60 days after the beginning date. To qualify for this exemption, a person must: (i) notify the Executive Officer not more than 7 days after qualifying as a large operation; (ii) include, as part of the notification, the items specified in subparagraphs (e)(3)(A) and (e)(3)(B); and (iii)take the actions specified in Tables 1 and 2 at such time as the construction and/or earth-moving activities extend more than 60 days after qualifying as a large operation. (C) any large operation which is required to submit a dust control plan to any city or county government which has adopted a District-approved dust control ordinance. To qualify for this exemption, a person must submit a copy of the city- or county-approved dust control plan to the Executive Officer within 30 days of the effective date of this rule or within 30 days of receiving approval by the city or county government, whichever is later. (D) any large operation subject to Rule 1158, which has an approved dust control plan pursuant to Rule 1158, provided that all sources of fugitive dust are included in the Rule 1158 plan. (h) Fees (1) Any person subject to a plan submittal pursuant to subparagraph (e)(1)(A) or clause (g)(2)(A)(iii) shall be assessed applicable filing and evaluation fees pursuant to Rule 306 Any person who simultaneously submits a plan pursuant to subparagraph (e)(1)(A) and clause (g)(2)(A)(iii) shall, for the purpose of this rule, be deemed to submit one plan. (2) The submittal of an annual statement of no-change, pursuant to paragraph (e)(9), shall not be considered as an annual review, and therefore shall not be subject to annual review fees, pursuant to Rule 306. (3) The owner/operator of any facility for which the Executive Officer conducts upwind/downwind monitoring for PM10 pursuant to paragraph (d)(3) shall be assessed applicable Ambient Air Analysis Fees pursuant to Rule 304.1. Applicable fees shall be waived for any facility which is exempted from paragraph (d)(3) or meets the requirements of paragraph (d)(3). TABLE 1 REASONABLY AVAILABLE CONTROL MEASURES FOR HIGH WIND CONDITIONS FUGITIVE DUST SOURCE CATEGORY CONTROL MEASURES Earth-moving (1A) Cease all active operations, OR (2A) Apply water to soil not more than 15 minutes prior to moving such soil. Disturbed surface areas (0B) On the last day of active operations prior to a weekend, holiday, or any other period when active operations will not occur for not more than four consecutive days: apply water with a mixture of chemical stabilizer diluted to not less than 1/20 of the concentration required to maintain a stabilized surface for a period of six months; OR (1B)Apply chemical stabilizers prior to wind event, OR (2B)Apply water to all unstabilized disturbed areas 3 times per day; OR (3B)Take the actions specified in Table 2, Item (3c); OR (4B)Utilize any combination of control actions (1B), (2B), and (3B) such that, in total, these actions apply to all disturbed surface areas. Unpaved roads (1C)Apply chemical stabilizers prior to wind event, OR (2C)Apply water once per hour during active operation, OR (3C)Stop all vehicular traffic Open storage piles (1D) Apply water once per hour, OR (2D) Install temporary coverings Paved road track-out (1E) Cover all haul vehicles; OR (2E) Comply with the vehicle freeboard requirements of Section 23114 of the California Vehicle Code for both public and private roads. TABLE 2 DUST CONTROL ACTIONS FOR EXEMPTION FROM PARAGRAPH (d)(3) FUGITIVE DUST SOURCE CATEGORY CONTROL ACTIONS Earth-moving (except construction cutting and filling areas, and mining operations) (1a) Maintain soil moisture content at a minimum of 12 percent, as determined by ASTM method D-2216, or other equivalent method approved by the Executive Officer and the California Air Resources Board. Two soil moisture evaluations must be conducted during the first three hours of active operations during a calendar day, and two such evaluations each subsequent four-hour period of active operations; OR (1a-1)For any earth-moving which is more than 100 feet from all property lines, conduct watering as necessary to prevent visible dust emissions from exceeding 100 feet in length in any direction. Earth-moving: Construction fill areas: (1b) Maintain soil moisture content at a minimum of 12 percent, as determined by ASTM method D-2216, or other equivalent method approved by the Executive Officer and the California Air Resources Board. For areas which have an optimum moisture content for compaction of less than 12 percent, as determined by ASTM Method 1557 or other equivalent method approved by the Executive Officer and the California Air Resources Board, complete the compaction process as expeditiously as possible after achieving at least 70 percent of the optimum soil moisture content. Two soil moisture evaluations must be conducted during the first three hours of active operations during a calendar day, and two such evaluations during each subsequent four-hour period of active operations. Earth-moving: Construction cut areas and mining operations: (1c) Conduct watering as necessary to prevent visible emissions from extending more than 100 feet beyond the active cut or mining area unless the area is inaccessible to watering vehicles due to slope conditions or other safety factors. TABLE 2 (Continued) Disturbed surface areas (except completed grading areas) (2a/b)Apply dust suppressants in sufficient quantity and frequency to maintain a stabilized surface; AND Apply water at least twice per day to at least 70 percent of all unstabilized disturbed surface areas. Disturbed surface areas: Completed grading areas (2c) Apply chemical stabilizers within five working days of grading completion; OR (2d) Take actions (3a) or (3c) specified for inactive disturbed surface areas. Inactive disturbed surface areas (3a) Apply water to at least 70 percent of all inactive disturbed surface areas on a daily basis when there is evidence of wind driven fugitive dust, excluding any areas which are inaccessible to watering vehicles due to excessive slope or other safety conditions; OR (3b) Apply dust suppressants in sufficient quantity and frequency to maintain a stabilized surface; OR (3c) Establish a vegetative ground cover within 30 days after active operations have ceased. Ground cover must be of sufficient density to expose less than 30 percent of unstabilized ground within 90 days of planting, and at all times thereafter; OR (3d) Utilize any combination of control actions (3a), (3b), and (3c) such that, in total, these actions apply to all inactive disturbed surface areas. Unpaved Roads (4a) Water all roads used for any vehicular traffic at least three times per day; OR (4b) Water all roads used for any vehicular traffic once daily and restrict vehicle speeds to 15 miles per hour; OR (4c) Apply a chemical stabilizer to all unpaved road surfaces in sufficient quantity and frequency to maintain a stabilized surface. Open storage piles (5a) Apply chemical stabilizers; OR (5b) Apply water to at least 70 percent of the surface area of all open storage piles on a daily basis when there is evidence of wind driven fugitive dust.