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April 2013
Upcoming Events:
- April 5-7: SLO Marathon Expo
- April 13: Children's Day in the Plaza at SLO Mission
- April 19: Cal Poly Open House
- April 21: Earth Day at El Chorro Regional Park
- May: Bike Month 2013
- May 7: ARB's Diesel Exhaust After-Treatment Class / C5 hosted lunch & presentation on Alternative Fuels
- May 8: ARB's How to Comply with CARB Diesel Regulations Class
- May 11: Outdoor Discovery Festival at Lopez Lake
- May 11: National Train Day at Union Station in LA
- May 15: SLO Chamber of Commerce Expo at the Expo
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| General Information: Burn Permits | | Just a reminder to those with burn permits and those seeking to conduct a backyard burn in the 2013 season --the season will officially close on April 30, 2013.
For more burn permit information, please visit our website, or call 805-781-5912.
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| Air Quality & Your Health | | 
Visit our website to find out more information on how air quality can affect your health. You can also pick up the series of brochures for this campaign at several local medical offices, fitness facilities, and the APCD and Public Health offices. |
| Campfire Etiquette | | Follow these clean burning tips to protect yourself and fellow campers from the harmful health effects of wood smoke!
- Don't smoke your neighbors out. Smoke from camp fires is a common source of outdoor air pollution. Be careful not to build your campfire too close to your neighbors or homes nearby. Not everyone appreciates a campfire - especially those with allergies or health issues.
- Before you strike the match, make sure that campfires are in fact allowed on your site.
- Keep your campfire small.
- Burn only "seasoned" and dry firewood.
- Don't Burn: garbage, plastics, Styrofoam, rubber, waste solvent, paint, oil, treated wood, particle board, plywood, driftwood, coal and charcoal, and colored or glossy paper. They can produce noxious, corrosive smoke and fumes which may be toxic to your family and pets.
- Once you are done with the fire, ensure it is put out completely. A smoldering pile of ash may disrupt the sleep of many in your vicinity. You may not be very popular in the morning!
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| Grant Funding Available! | | 
Upcoming ARB Workshops:
#511 - Diesel Exhaust After-Treatment Devices
May 7, 2013 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
SLO County Library, 995 Palm Street in SLO
#520 - How to Comply with CARB Diesel Regulations
May 8, 2013 from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
SLO County Library, 995 Palm Street in SLO
For more information and to find out if your truck/equipment is eligible for grant funding, call us at 805-781-5912 or go to our website at SLOCleanAir.org! |
| Air Quality Trends Report | |
Since 1970, air quality monitoring has been conducted in San Luis Obispo County. As shown in the report linked below, significant improvements in air quality have been observed in most areas of the county over the past 20 years, despite significant increases in population and vehicle miles traveled during that period. On March 27, the APCD Board received the 1991 - 2011 Air Quality Trends Report that evaluated ozone and particulate matter measurements countywide. To read more about the detailed trends analysis, please visit the links below.
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| Letter to ARB Regarding Ag Tractor Regulation | | |
At its March meeting, the APCD Board voted to send a letter to the California Air Resources Board (ARB) requesting an exemption from the proposed State Regulation on In-Use Mobile Agricultural Equipment.
The proposed regulation is the result of the State's commitment in the 2007 State Implementation Plan (SIP) to achieve emission reductions necessary to bring the San Joaquin Valley into attainment with the federal ozone standard through regulation of mobile agricultural equipment.
APCD staff believes emission reductions from mobile agriculture equipment that operate in SLO County will not assist the San Joaquin Valley in meeting their clean air requirements. The APCD recognizes the significant hardship such a regulation could put on our local economy in the near future. In support of this position, the Board sent a letter to ARB requesting an exemption for SLO County from upcoming requirements for existing mobile agricultural equipment.
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| Change to the Air Quality Index Scale | | 
In December 2012, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered the primary annual PM2.5 standard to 12.0 μg/m3 to further protect public health. EPA also modified the AQI scale to incorporate the new standard.
The AQI scale has four categories that best represent local air quality conditions: Good, Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and Unhealthy. The upper end of the range for the "Good" AQI category (an index value of 50) will now be reached when PM2.5 concentrations hit 12.0 μg/m3, the level of the new annual standard. The upper end of the "Moderate" category (100 AQI) will remain the same and is set at the level of the 24-hour PM2.5 standard (35 μg/m3).
The new scale took effect on March 18, 2013. This new scale will likely result in an increase in the number of air quality days in SLO County reported as Moderate. It is important to note that the general air quality in the county is expected to remain the same - the AQI scale is changing, not the local air quality conditions.
Stay up to date on conditions in your area:
The forecasted AQI on the APCD website, click here.
The forecasted AQI is also available to the public via email. Sign up to receive the daily air quality forecast via email.
A recorded message describing San Luis Obispo County air quality conditions is available by calling (805) 781-4390. |
| Join the Challenge: Bike Month 2013 | |
Bike Month is a national and local movement that occurs annually each May. San Luis Obispo County's Bike Month is a program of the SLO Regional Rideshare, and is powered by dedicated and energetic volunteers in our community who like to have fun and ride bikes. San Luis Obispo countywide Bike Month movement includes a wide spectrum of events and the online Commuter Bike Challenge. Bike Month matters, that's why we're challenging YOU to ride your bike at least ONCE during May and LOG IT ONLINE! To see all of the events, visit the Rideshare Calendar.
APCD Sponsored Bike Month Event:
- May 29 @ 6:30 am: Group Commute. Ride solo or join a number of scheduled group rides. Contact Andy Mutziger at amutziger@co.slo.ca.us for details.
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