COMPLIANCE INFO_FINAL INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION 5/25

Home Browse Search

Memorandum March 25, 2025 Page 5 21202-23 North County Landfill_AQ_0307 Existing Sensitive Receptors Sensitive receptors are areas where individuals are more susceptible to the adverse effects of poor air quality. Sensitive receptors include, but are not limited to, hospitals, schools, daycare facilities, elderly housing, and convalescent facilities. Residential areas are also considered sensitive receptors because people are often at home for extended periods, thereby increasing the duration of exposure to potential air contaminants. The surrounding land uses are primarily agricultural with scattered single-family residences within 1-mile radius. The closest sensitive receptor is a residence located on-site about 460 feet southeast of the intersection of East Harney Lane and the North County Landfill access road (Figure 1). This residence is located approximately 2,100 feet northeast from the top of Lined Area 1, and approximately 1,800 feet northeast from the existing LFG flare station. As mentioned above, the project-generated trucks would access the North County Landfill via East Harney Lane and the North County Landfill access road. Sensitive receptors along the haul route include residences as close as approximately 65 feet to the centerline of East Harney Lane and schools, including Harmony Grove Elementary School and the Adelita Montessori School, as close as approximately 70 feet to the centerline of East Harney Lane. REGULATORY SETTING Federal and State Regulations The foundational framework of the Federal Clean Air Act was laid out by Congress in 1970, and major revisions were made in 1977 and again in 1990. The U.S. EPA is responsible for implementing programs established under the Federal Clean Air Act, such as establishing and reviewing the NAAQS and judging the adequacy of State Implementation Plans to attain the NAAQS. A State Implementation Plan must integrate federal, state, and local plan components and regulations to identify specific measures to reduce pollution in nonattainment areas, using a combination of performance standards and market-based programs. In accordance with the U.S. EPA Green Book,2 San Joaquin Valley is currently designated as extreme nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone standard and is designated nonattainment for the PM2.5 standard based on the NAAQS. The Federal Clean Air Act requires the EPA to identify HAPs that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects, to protect public health and welfare, and to establish national emission standards for HAPs. The Federal Clean Air Act Amendments in 1990 2 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2025. Green Book; Current Nonattainment Counties for All Criteria Pollutants. https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/greenbook/ancl.html. Last updated January 31, 2025.