Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: February 11, 1997 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 97-13 IN SUPPORT OF MORE PROTECTIVE, HEALTH -BASED FEDERAL AIR QUALITY STANDARDS DEPARTMENT: Community Development On January 13, 1997, the City received a letter from the American Lung Association requesting the City's support for the strengthening of the EPA's proposed particle standards. The EPA is presently in the process of revising these standards. The proposed standards they have drafted would still leave 89 million people nationwide potentially exposed to dangerous levels of deadly particle pollution. In Los Angeles County, particle pollution levels already exceed the proposed EPA standards and 1,270,479 people would be potentially at -risk for exposure to this type of air pollution. The at -risk people would include people with asthma, lung disease and heart disease which are illnesses typically associated with children and the elderly. The public comment period on these proposed standards ends on February 18, 1997 and comments must be forwarded to the EPA prior to or on this date. The City Council has always been supportive of measures to improve air quality. Staff has reviewed the information forwarded by the American Lung Associationand supports their efforts urging the EPA to strengthen their proposed standards. Adopt Resolution No. 97-13 in support of more protective, health -based federal air quality standards. EP:GEA coa.Banpa.gea adopted: -2- - -q� RESOLUTION NO. 97-13 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF MORE PROTECTIVE, HEALTH -BASED FEDERAL AIR QUALITY STANDARDS WHEREAS, air pollution represents a serious health threat in Los Angeles County especially for children, senior citizens and people with lung and heart disease; and WHEREAS, in Los Angeles County, particulate pollution levels already exceed the proposed EPA standard and 1,270,479 people would be potentially at risk for exposure to this type of air pollution; and WHEREAS, credible scientific studies have linked air pollution with an estimated 14,460 emergency room visits and hospital admissions in Los Angeles County for respiratory problems during high ground -level ozone periods; and WHEREAS, the Clean Air Act requires federal air quality standards (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) to establish how clean the air should be to protect the health of all Americans,. including people with asthma and others who are particularly sensitive to air pollution; and WHEREAS, the above mentioned adverse health affects occur throughout Los Angeles County; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Santa Clarita urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency to adopt more protective federal air quality standards that adequately protect public health; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the new federal air quality standards should be based solely on public health concerns, and the scheduling for achieving the new standards should be feasible and reasonable; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to submit certified copies of this Resolution to the President of the United States, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, and to the American Lung Association of Los Angeles County by February 18, 1997. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 19_. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) § CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the _ day of , 19_ by the following vote of Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK GEA: council\reeo9713.gee