1
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
Caldwell
County
Air
Quality
Plan
2003
Action
Plan
Table
of
Contents
1.
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................
2
2.
Environmental
&
Health
Issues                           .   .
2
3.
Primary
Activities........................................................................................................................................
3
4.
On
Going
Activities.....................................................................................................................................
3
4.
Timeline
April
30th......................................................................................................................................
3
5.
Timeline
May
31st
......................................................................................................................................
4
6.
Timeline
June
28th.....................................................................................................................................
4
7.
Timeline
July
31st.......................................................................................................................................
4
8.
Timeline
August
31st..................................................................................................................................
4
9.
Timeline
October
31st................................................................................................................................
4
10.
Timeline
November
29th...........................................................................................................................
4
11.
Timeline
December
31st...........................................................................................................................
4
12.
Handout
for
Employees
............................................................................................................................
5
13.
Agenda
for
County
Action
Plan
................................................................................................................
6
14.
General
Departmental
Procedures
and
Measures
(
Optional
Section)      ..       
7
15.
County
Coordinators                                  
..
9
2
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
Introduction
In
December
2002,
Caldwell
County
signed
an
Early
Action
Compact
(
EAC)
in
an
effort
to
begin
reducing
ozone
levels
in
the
Unifour
Area.
One
of
the
requirements
in
the
EAC
is
to
develop
an
Early
Action
Plan
that
will,
when
combined
with
the
State
and
Federal
measures,
demonstrates
attainment
by
the
year's
end
2007
of
the
8­
hour
ozone
standard
and
maintenance
until
at
least
2012.
Ozone
is
the
main
ingredient
of
smog,
and
presents
a
serious
air
quality
problem
in
many
parts
of
the
United
States.
Even
at
low
levels,
ozone
can
cause
a
number
of
respiratory
effects.
For
example,
it
aggravates
individuals
with
asthma,
the
leading
cause
of
absence
in
schools.
This
project
will
support
the
efforts
of
the
Unifour
Air
Quality
Committee
(
UAQC)
by
educating
county
employees,
schools,
and
the
community
about
ozone
awareness
and
reduction
measures.
Ground
level
ozone,
not
stratospheric
ozone,
is
the
primary
pollutant
most
likely
to
cause
air
quality
problems
in
the
Unifour
counties
of
Catawba,
Caldwell,
Burke
and
Alexander
and
across
all
of
North
Carolina.
It
is
measured
214
days
each
year
from
April
to
October
of
each
year
and
can
frequently
reach
levels,
which
exceed
the
EPA's
new
National
Ambient
Air
Quality
Standards
(
NAAQS)
with
the
Clean
Air
Act,
particularly
during
the
warmest
months
of
May
through
September.
High
ozone
levels
usually
occur
on
hot
sunny
days
with
stagnant
air,
when
pollutants
such
as
nitrogen
oxides
and
volatile
organic
compounds
combine
in
the
atmosphere.
In
the
Unifour
counties,
coal
fired
power
plants
and
vehicle
emissions
(
88­
90%
of
the
problem)
are
the
main
contributors
to
the
formation
of
ground­
level
ozone.

Although
today's
automobiles
are
70
to
90
percent
cleaner
than
their
1970
counterparts,
vehicle
emissions
continue
to
be
a
significant
cause
of
air
pollution
due
to
rapid
increase
in
vehicle
miles
traveled
since
1970.
Therefore,
the
primary
purpose
of
the
County's
Action
Plan
is
the
reduction
in
vehicle
emissions
as
measured
by
vehicle
miles
traveled
(
VMT).

The
county
will
partner
surrounding
local
governments
and
other
agencies
to
positively
impact
clean
air
efforts
in
Caldwell
County,
and
the
Unifour
in
an
effort
to
avoid
designation
as
"
non­
attainment."
This
project
supports
the
Air
Quality
Control
Measures
as
established
by
the
Unifour
Air
Quality
Committee
(
UAQC)
for
county
action
items,
and
the
regional
air
quality
goal
to
achieve
and
maintain
clean
healthful
air
as
determined
by
national,
state
and
local
ambient
air
quality
standards
for
the
well
being
of
its
citizens,
and
the
economic
vitality
of
this
community.
Caldwell
County
will
act
proactively
to
achieve
this
goal.

Reducing
ground
level
ozone
concentrations
in
the
region
would
provide
the
following
benefits:


Protect
public
health,
especially
for
children,
the
elderly
and
asthmatics.


Improve
visibility
and
reduce
environmental
damage
to
plant
life
and
ecosystems.


Provide
economic
benefits
through
reduced
health
care
costs,
improved
economic
development
opportunities
and
enhanced
tourism.

Environmental
&
Health
Issues
Air
Pollution
contributes
to
lung
disease,
including
respiratory
tract
infections,
asthma,
and
lung
cancer.
Lung
disease
claims
close
to
335,000
lives
in
the
United
States
every
year
(
338,890
in
1995)
and
is
the
third­
leading
cause
of
death
in
the
country.
Over
the
last
decade,
the
death
rate
for
lung
disease
has
risen
faster
than
that
of
any
of
the
top
five
causes
of
death.
In
1995,
North
Carolina
had
above
average
(
for
the
United
States)
rates
for
the
following
lung
diseases:
Lung
Cancer,
Pneumonia,
Asthma,
and
chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary
Disease
(
which
includes
chronic
bronchitis
and
emphysema).
These
lung
diseases
account
for
9,651
lung
disease
deaths
during
1995
alone.
1
Ozone
is
especially
harmful
to
young
children
and
the
elderly.
According
to
the
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(
EPA),
high
1
American
Lung
Association
web
site
at
http://
www.
lungusa.
org
3
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
ozone
levels
can
cause
crop
damage
and
suppressed
growth
in
trees
and
native
vegetation.
Ozone
can
also
damage
elastics,
textiles,
dyes,
electrical
insulation,
and
fine
art.

Primary
Activities:

1.
Provide
ozone
in­
service
training/
awareness
for
the
various
county
departments
via
staff
meetings
to
educate
county
employees
about
ozone
awareness
and
reduction
measures.
Partner
with
WPCOG
to
accomplish
this
goal.
2.
E­
mail
county
employees
on
ozone
alert
days.
Encourage
car­
pooling
to
work
and/
or
lunch
on
high
ozone
days.
3.
Form
a
committee
of
county
agency
representatives
to
address
the
ozone
issue/
activities.
Post
ozone
alert
information
at
agency
exits
for
general
public
information
on
bad
air
days.
4.
Encourage
the
county
to
consider
purchasing
alternative
fuel
vehicles
in
the
future
if
feasible.
5.
Partner
with
the
school
systems
to
address
the
ozone
issue/
activities.
6.
Partner
with
health
care
providers
and
non­
profit
organizations
to
address
the
ozone
issue.
7.
Coordinate
a
public
awareness
campaign
about
ozone,
including
TV,
radio,
web
page
and
newspaper,
and
possibly
a
press
conference
or
community
forum
to
educate
the
public
about
ozone.
8.
Utilize
the
Air
Quality
Control
Measures
for
Caldwell
County
and
support
the
air
quality
improvement
actions.
9.
Investigate
Methane
Production
feasibility
and
pursue
depending
on
results.
10.
Fly
HIGH
OZONE
Action
Flags
on
Orange,
Red,
&
Purple
Coded
Days.
11.
Involve
Chamber
of
Commerce
and
EDC
in
Planning
Activities.

Time
Line:

On­
Going
Activities:

1.
Attend
monthly
Unifour
Air
Quality
Committee
meetings.
2.
Utilize
the
Air
Quality
Control
Measures
for
Caldwell
County
and
support
the
air
quality
improvement
actions.
3.
Participate
in
Unifour
Air
Quality
Committee
(
UAQC)
meetings
and
activities.
4.
Encourage
the
county
to
consider
purchasing
alternative
fuel
vehicles
in
the
future
if
feasible.
5.
Provide
ozone
alert
emails
countywide
as
needed
during
the
ozone­
forecasting
season.
(
May
through
September)
Include
municipalities
and
schools.
6.
Post
ozone
alert
information
at
agency
exits
for
general
public
notification
via
county
ozone
committee
during
the
Ozone
Forecasting
Season.
(
May
through
September)
7.
Form
partnerships
with
health
care
providers
and
non­
profit
organizations
to
address
the
ozone
issue.
8.
Provide
ozone
information
to
the
media
during
the
Ozone
Forecasting
Season.
(
May
through
September).

By
April
30th
of
each
year:
(
The
ozone
monitoring
season
begins.)

1.
Meet
with
the
County
Manager
to
approve
a
final
plan
for
the
year.
2.
Partner
with
the
school
systems
to
address
the
ozone
issue.
Identify
an
ozone
contact
person(
s)
at
each
school
system.
3.
Provide
ozone
information
via
coloring
books
and
crayons
to
elementary
students.
4.
Form
a
committee
of
county
agency
representatives
and
coordinate
activities
to
address
the
ozone
issue.
5.
Begin
providing
ozone
in­
services
for
the
various
county
departments
via
staff
meetings
to
educate
county
employees,
as
individuals,
about
ozone
awareness
and
reduction
measures.
(
See
Attachment
1:
Handout
for
County
Employees.)
Partner
with
WPCOG
to
accomplish
this
goal.
4
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
By
May
31st
of
each
year:
(
The
ozone
reporting
season
begins.)


Inclusive
of
Previous
Month's
Activities
1.
Participate
in
the
Care
for
the
Air
Day
and
provide
Caldwell
County
representatives
to
assist.
2.
Partner
with
school
nurses
and
Caldwell
Community
College
&
Technical
Institute
Health
students
to
offer
a
respiratory
health
class
(
including
ozone
and
asthma
information)
to
at
least
three
5th
grade
classes,
one
in
each
of
the
school
systems,
with
the
goal
to
expand
to
all
5th
grade
classes
next
year.
3.
Work
with
the
school
system
representatives
and
provide
them
with
information
to
encourage
schools
to
incorporate
ozone
awareness/
education/
activities
into
their
curriculum
in
May
and
August.
4.
Work
with
the
school
system
representatives
and
provide
them
with
information
to
encourage
schools
to
participate
in
the
ozone
alert
days
by
changing
outdoor
play
times
to
earlier
in
the
day.

By
June
28th
of
each
year:


Inclusive
of
Previous
Month's
Activities
1.
Provide
ozone
in­
services
for
the
various
county
departments
via
staff
meetings
to
educate
county
employees,
as
individuals,
about
ozone
awareness
and
reduction
measures.
Partner
with
WPCOG
to
accomplish
this
goal.

By
July
31st
of
each
year:


Inclusive
of
Previous
Month's
Activities
1.
Support
and
work
with
WPCOG
staff
to
conduct
a
press
conference
or
community
forum
to
educate
the
public
about
ozone.

By
August
31st
of
each
year:


Inclusive
of
Previous
Month's
Activities
1.
Work
with
the
school
system
representatives
and
provide
them
with
information
to
encourage
schools
to
incorporate
ozone
awareness/
education/
activities
into
their
curriculum
in
May
and
August.
Encourage
or
have
a
drawing
contest
for
students.
2.
Work
with
the
school
system
representatives
and
provide
them
with
information
to
encourage
schools
to
participate
in
the
ozone
alert
days
by
changing
outdoor
play
times
to
earlier
in
the
day.

By
October
31st
of
each
year:


The
end
of
the
ozone
monitoring
season
1.
Evaluate
ozone
season
activities.
2.
Begin
planning
for
the
NEXT
ozone
season.

By
November
29th:

1.
Begin
Plan
for
the
2004
ozone
season.

By
December
31st:

1.
Finalize
Plan
for
the
2004
ozone
season.
5
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
ATTACHMENT
1:
Handout
for
County
Employees
OZONE
AWARENESS
AND
PREVENTION
MEASURES
Ozone
is
the
main
ingredient
of
smog,
and
presents
a
serious
air
quality
problem
in
many
parts
of
the
United
States.
Even
at
low
levels,
ozone
can
cause
a
number
of
respiratory
effects.
For
example,
it
aggravates
individuals
with
asthma,
the
leading
cause
of
absence
in
schools.
This
project
will
support
the
efforts
of
the
Unifour
Air
Quality
Committee
by
educating
county
employees,
schools
and
the
community
about
ozone
awareness
and
reduction
measures.
Public
Health
will
partner
with
other
health
care
providers
and
agencies
to
positively
impact
clean
air
efforts
in
Caldwell
County
and
the
Unifour
in
an
effort
to
avoid
designation
as
"
non­
attainment."
This
project
supports
the
UAQC
Control
Measures
to
achieve
and
maintain
clean
healthful
air
as
determined
by
national,
state
and
local
ambient
air
quality
standards
for
the
well
being
of
its
citizens,
and
the
economic
vitality
of
this
community.
Caldwell
County
Government
will
act
proactively
to
achieve
this
goal.

I.
County
Employees
(
as
individuals)
can
reduce
ozone
levels
in
our
air
by:

A.
On
the
Road
1.
Avoid
idling
and
drive
through
locations
when
and
where
possible
on
high
ozone
days.
2.
Consolidate
driving
trips.
3.
Get
regular
tune­
ups
as
part
of
an
overall
maintenance
plan
for
your
vehicle.
4.
Minimize
the
use
of
air
conditioning
for
local
trips.
5.
Drive
at
55mph
instead
of
65mph
to
increase
mileage
by
over
15%.
6.
Consider
buying
new
car
models
rated
to
get
35
mpg
or
more.

B.
At
Home
1.
Avoid
using
motorized
yard
tools
before
6pm
or
on
high
ozone
days.
2.
Use
environmentally
sound
substitutes
for
cleaning
and
pest
control.
3.
Compost
yard
wastes.
4.
Avoid
lighter
fluid
when
barbecuing
with
charcoal.
5.
Insulate
your
home.
6.
Caulk
and
weather­
strip
doors
and
windows.
7.
Use
ceiling
fans
vs.
air­
conditioning
whenever
possible.
8.
Close
off
unused
home
areas.
9.
Buy
energy
efficient
appliances.
10.
Avoid
spray
painting.
11.
Choose
water­
based
paints,
stains,
and
sealers
vs.
oil­
based
products.
12.
Plant
trees.
13.
Recycle.
6
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
ATTACHMENT
2:
Agenda
for
County
Action
OZONE
AWARENESS
AND
PREVENTION
MEASURES
Ozone
is
a
public
health
issue.
For
example,
it
aggravates
individuals
with
asthma,
the
leading
cause
of
absence
in
schools.
This
project
will
support
the
efforts
of
the
UAQC
by
educating
county
employees,
schools
and
the
community
about
ozone
awareness
and
reduction
measures.
Public
Health
will
partner
with
other
health
care
providers
and
agencies
to
positively
impact
clean
air
efforts
in
Caldwell
County
and
the
Unifour
in
an
effort
to
avoid
designation
as
"
non­
attainment."
This
project
supports
the
UAQC
Control
Measures
and
other
air
quality
goals
to
achieve
and
maintain
clean
healthful
air
as
determined
by
national,
state
and
local
ambient
air
quality
standards
for
the
well
being
of
its
citizens
and
the
economic
vitality
of
this
community.
Caldwell
County
Government
will
act
proactively
to
achieve
this
goal.

II.
Caldwell
County
Government
(
as
an
employer)
can
reduce
ozone
levels
in
our
air
by:

A.
Consider
providing
convenient
or
covered
parking
for
employees
who
rideshare.
B.
Make
sure
employees
are
aware
of
teleconference
facilities
in
the
county
and
encourage
using
teleconferencing
vs.
driving
to
meetings,
when
feasible.
C.
Encourage
walking,
riding
a
bike,
or
ride
sharing
to
work.
D.
Consider
obtaining
and
promoting
transit
maps
and
schedules
for
nearby
routes
to
employees.
E.
Consider
starting
a
ridesharing
program,
use
intranet
and
GIS
mapping
to
assist
in
this
effort.
F.
Offer
incentives,
recognition,
and
praise
for
alternatives
to
driving
alone.
G.
Consider
encouraging
flextime
to
reduce
roadway
congestion
during
peak
commuting
hours
in
accordance
with
county
personnel
policy.
H.
Consider
buying
a
bike
rack
for
employees'
use,
or
allowing
them
to
park
bikes
safely
indoors.
I.
Encourage
employees
to
bring
their
lunch,
stay
in
during
lunch
and
have
it
delivered,
carpool
to
lunch,
and/
or
walk
to
lunch
(
if
possible)
on
high
ozone
days.
J.
Consider
delaying
refueling
vehicles
and
equipment
until
late
in
the
day
(
after
6:
00
PM).
K.
Consider
conversion
of
fleet
vehicles
to
use
alternative
fuels:
CNG,
LNG,
propane,
or
electricity,
or
retrofit
upgrade
diesel
and
hybrid.
L.
Pursue
feasibility
of
Methane
Production.
7
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
Attachment
3
This
is
an
Optional
Section
with
Examples
of
General
Departmental
Procedures
and
Measures

Educate
employees,
contractors,
and
developers
on
ways
to
be
sensitive
to
emissions.


All
County
co­
workers
will
be
encouraged
to
carpool
on
Ozone
Action
Days
where
feasible.


Postpone
or
consolidate
non­
essential
fieldwork,
business
errands
and
other
travel
requiring
the
use
of
County
vehicles.


All
County­
co­
workers
will
be
encouraged
to
bring
their
lunch
to
work
rather
than
driving
to
a
restaurant.


Have
all
vehicles
fueled
before
6:
30
AM
or
after
6:
00
PM.


Encourage
co­
workers
to
avoid
intersections
that
are
noted
for
congestion
if
they
must
travel
by
vehicle.


Keep
all
County
Vehicles
properly
maintained.


Minimize
warm­
up
time
for
all
vehicles.


Explore
the
potential
of
equipping
some
vehicles
with
alternate
fuel
retrofits.


Police
Officers
not
responding
to
calls
for
service
or
that
are
working
details
not
requiring
automobile
usage
will
park
their
vehicles
and
turn
off
the
engine,
remaining
visible
in
the
community
by
utilizing
foot
patrol.


During
extremely
hot
weather
requiring
the
use
of
air
conditioning,
police
officers
will
use
businesses
and
other
sites
for
report
writing
as
opposed
to
completing
this
task
in
their
police
vehicles.
If
temperatures
are
not
excessive,
police
vehicle
windows
will
be
down
for
cooling
as
opposed
to
using
the
vehicle's
air
conditioning.


Foot
patrol
units
will
be
utilized
during
Air
Alert
Days.


All
personnel
will
be
encouraged
to
carpool
to
and
from
work.
When
feasible,
personnel
will
also
carpool
or
vanpool
to
work
assignments
and
training.


When
possible,
personnel
should
use
public
transit
or
walk
to
locations
within
reasonable
distances
during
and
after
work

Eliminate,
delay
or
consolidate
business
errands
requiring
the
use
of
automobiles.


All
personnel
will
be
encouraged
to
refuel
business
and
personal
vehicles
after
6:
00
PM.


Detectives
will
car
pool
while
conducting
investigations
to
minimize
the
use
of
vehicles.


Drivers
Training
will
be
limited
to
a
minimum
and
when
feasible,
delayed
until
after
6:
00
PM.


All
personnel
will
be
encouraged
to
bring
their
lunch
and
not
utilize
vehicles
for
this
purpose.
8
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003

All
personnel
will
seek
to
obtain
the
cooperative
efforts
of
friends,
relatives,
and
neighbors
to
minimize
the
amount
of
pollution
on
poor
air
quality
days.


Completely
close
the
fueling
station
during
daylight
hours
of
an
air
alert
day.
Emergency
fueling
could
be
accommodated.


Limit
or
postpone
the
amount
of
test
driving,
idling
or
moving
of
vehicles
being
serviced.


Minimize
trips
for
parts
delivery.
We
would
consolidate
our
trips
and
also
request
that
our
vendors
work
with
us
to
consolidate
their
deliveries
to
us.


Schedule
our
fuel
truck
(
for
off­
road
equipment)
to
make
deliveries
the
evening
prior
to
the
air
alert
day.
We
would
also
make
sure
that
our
fueling
station
does
not
receive
tanker
deliveries.


Postpone
all
non­
essential
vehicle
use
as
long
as
the
alert
is
in
effect,
including
but
not
limited
to:
1.
Reduction
in
non­
critical
driving
both
on
and
off
plant
sites
2.
Carpooling
or
vanpooling
to
off­
site
activities,
such
as
training,
etc.
3.
Trip
to
obtain
parts
and
supplies
will
only
be
made
by
authorization
of
plant
supervisor.


Lawn
mowing
and
landscape
maintenance
activities
will
be
suspended.
This
will
apply
to
contract
operations
and
county
staff.


Emergency
generators
will
not
be
exercised
for
maintenance
purposes.
Generators
will
only
run
in
the
event
of
power
interruption.


Facilities
that
have
the
option
of
using
alternate
fueled
equipment
will
do
so
when
possible.


Not
operate
motorized
pesticide
sprayers
on
these
days,
but
utilize
pump
sprayers.


Not
utilize
our
auger
on
construction
projects.
Assign
duties
where
hand
tools
are
appropriate.


We
will
not
operate
gas­
powered
hedge
clippers
on
these
days.
Utilize
hand
shears.


Minimize
the
use
of
combustion
equipment
(
chain
saws,
compressors,
backhoes,
etc.)


Utilize
crews
responsible
for
weed
trimming
and
mowing
for
duties
such
as
litter.
This
will
not
require
small
engine
equipment.


Notify
mowing
contractors
of
this
condition.
It
is
not
proposed
to
that
the
department
dictate
a
schedule.


Combine
crews
working
together
on
a
project
and
have
them
ride
together.


Reschedule
non­
priority
maintenance
work
to
reduce
vehicle
use.
9
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
Departmental
Coordinators
Department
Phone
Fax
E­
mail
Back­
up
Coordinator
Commissioners
Manager's
Office
Animal
Control
Board
of
Elections
Building
Inspections
C.
I.
S.
Cooperative
Extension
Emergency
Management
Emergency
Medical
Services
Finance
Fire
G.
I.
S.
Health
Department
Home
Health
Human
Resources
ICAN
Library
Planning
&
Development
Police
Register
of
Deeds
Sheriff
Social
Services
Soil
&
Water
Conservation
Taxes
&
Mapping
Veteran
Services
Water
Program
10
of
10
Adopted
July
21,
2003
Caldwell
County
Air
Quality
Plan
Adopted
July
21,
2003
