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4. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS . 4.6 AIR QUALITY ODORS AND NUISANCES Though offensive;odors from stationary sources rarely cause any physical harm,they still remain unpleasant and can lead to public distress generating citizen complaints to local governments. The occurrence and severity of odor impacts depend on the nature,frequency and intensity of the source; wind speed and direction; and the sensitivity of receptors. The CEQA Guidelines, as amended recommend that odor impacts be considered for any proposed new odor sources located near existing receptors,as well as any new sensitive receptors located near existing odor sources. Generally, increasing the distance between the receptor and the source will mitigate odor impacts. REGULATORYAGENCIES Air quality within the SJVAB is addressed through the efforts of various federal, state,regional, and local government agencies. The air quality management agencies with jurisdiction over the air quality conditions of the Project Area include the U.S. EPA, the CARB, and the Valley Air District. The U.S.EPA has established federal ambient air quality standards for which CARB and the Valley Air District are also responsible for ensuring that state ambient air quality standards are met. r U.S. EPA is responsible for implementing programs established under the federal Clean Air Act, such as establishing and reviewing the national ambient air quality standards and judging the adequacy of State Implementation Plans(SIPS),but has delegated the authority to implement many of the federal programs to the states while retaining an oversight role to ensure that the _ programs continue to be implemented. The CARB, the State of California air quality management agency, is responsible for establishing and reviewing the state ambient air quality standards,compiling the California SIP and securing approval of that plan from U.S.EPA. The CARB also regulates mobile emissions sources in California, such as construction equipment,trucks, and automobiles,and oversees the activities of ` air quality management districts, which are organized at the county or regional level. The county or regional air quality management districts are primarily responsible for regulating stationary emissions sources at industrial and commercial facilities within their jurisdiction and for preparing the air quality plans that are required under the federal Clean Air Act and California Clean Air Act. AIR QUALITY PLANNING IN THE VALLEY AIR DISTRICT Under amendments to the federal Clean Air Act, U.S.EPA has classified air basins or portions thereof, as either"attainment'or"nonattainment"for each criteria air pollutant,based on whether or not the national standards have been achieved. Under the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,ozone nonattainment areas are further classified as marginal, moderate,serious, severe, or extreme, depending upon the severity of peak ozone concentrations in the area. In 1988,the State Legislature passed the California Clean Air Act,which is patterned after the federal Clean Air Act to the extent that areas are required to be designated as"attainment' or"nonattainment;" r r., RMC Pacific Vernalis Quany Mining and Reclamation Project 4.6-7 FSA 1203015 Administtatiw Draft IDL Match 2004