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Vancouver Area Meets Carbon Monoxide Air Quality Standard
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed southern Clark County from its list of air pollution "non-attainment areas" for carbon monoxide. EPA's action follows years of efforts by the Southwest Air Pollution Control Authority (SWAPCA), Ecology and the region's businesses and private citizens. Officials noted, however, that preserving the area's air quality remains a concern.
EPA's action includes approval of a 10-year plan, adopted by SWAPCA earlier this year, to prevent future violations of the federal health limit for carbon monoxide in the outdoor air. The area would continue to meet that standard through the turnover and maintenance of motor vehicles, combined with Ecology's emission check program. The wintertime oxygenated gasoline program will be discontinued, but could be reinstated if the area fails to stay within the carbon monoxide standard.
Carbon monoxide is a clear, odorless gas, produced by combustion. It affects the body's ability to obtain oxygen from the air. It especially affects infants, small children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic heart disease. Motor vehicles are the largest source of carbon monoxide pollution.
Contacts: Bob Elliott, Southwest Air Pollution Control Authority, (360) 574-3058; Larry Altose, Ecology, (206) 649-7192; Joe Williams, Ecology, (360) 407-6880; or Bill Hedgebeth, EPA Region 10, (206) 553-7369.
Ecology Awards $175,577 Grant To Aid Kittitas County Waste Programs
Ecology awarded a $175,577 grant to Kittitas County for a comprehensive program of waste management projects. The county will use the grant to update its solid and hazardous waste management plans, enforce solid waste laws, purchase recycling containers and continue its yard waste collection and backyard composting programs. The county will also collect and dispose of household hazardous waste, and educate children, adults and business owners on ways to prevent waste and to recycle.
CONTACT: Peter Haskin, (360) 407-6063 or Jerry Gilliland, (360) 407-6149.
Ecology Awards $190,000 Loan To Kalama To Improve Sewage Treatment Plant
Ecology awarded Kalama a State Revolving Fund loan of $190,000 to replace sewer lines and improve its sewage treatment plant. The city will use the loan to prepare plans and specifications for replacing sewer lines in Basin K-1 and update its sewage treatment plant.
CONTACT: Charles Meyer, (360) 407-6318 or Mary Getchell, (360) 407-6157.
Thurston County Receives $250,000 Grant To Do A Watershed Action Plan
Ecology awarded a $250,000 Centennial Clean Water Fund grant to Thurston County to begin using the Budd/Deschutes Watershed Action Plan. The plan includes sanitary surveys; dye-trace tests, a method used to find failing septic systems; farm plans and development of a watershed-based data retrieval system.
CONTACT: Jeannette Barreca, (360) 407-6554 or Mary Getchell, (360) 407-6157.
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