Prior Workshops & Events

Public Workshop Held: September 20, 2002

Subject: District Regulation III, Rule 3.15, Architectural Coatings
Workshop Date/Time:  Friday, September 20, 2002 at 3:00 PM
Place: FRAQMD Conference Room, 938 14th St., Marysville, CA 95901.
Contact: Karla Sanders, 530-634-7659 x205, ksanders@fraqmd.org

The purpose of the workshop is to consider the adoption of District Rule 3.15, Architectural Coatings.  [ADOPTED]

Public Workshop Held: March 22, 2002

Subject: District Regulation VII, Fees
Workshop Date/Time:  Thursday, May 16, 2002 at 3:00 PM
Place: FRAQMD Conference Room, 938 14th St., Marysville, CA 95901.
Contact: Karla Sanders, 530-634-7659 x205, ksanders@fraqmd.org

The purpose of the workshop is to consider the adoption of modifications to District Regulation VII, Fees.  The purpose of these modifications is to establish fees to recover the reasonable costs of District operations and to recover state costs pursuant to Section 44380 of the California Health & Safety Code. [ADOPTED]

Public Workshop Held: December 21, 2001

Subject: Residential Burn Prohibitions
Workshop Date/Time:  Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at 7:00 PM
Place: Sutter County Agriculture Department, 142 Garden Highway, Yuba City.
Contact: Jeffrey Citron, 530-634-7659 x206, jcitron@fraqmd.org

The workshop discussions will cover public health impacts and a proposal to prohibit the outdoor burning of residential waste materials other than natural vegetation, as well as eliminate the use of burn barrels. For more information, including a Fact Sheet check located at Air Resources Board website: www.arb.ca.gov/smp/resburn/resburn.htm

A Public Workshop was held Monday, September 10, 2001, and a Public Hearing was held Monday, October 1, 2001: Proposed Amendment to Rule 7.9 Air Toxic Hot Spots Fees

A Public Workshop was held to discuss the proposed amendment of District Rule 7.9, "Air Toxic Hot Spot Fees", at 4:00 p.m. on September 10, 2001 at the District office. The amendment will address fees for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.

By this notice the public and affected facilities are invited to comment in writing on the proposed rule amendment. All comments must be addressed to Steve Speckert, Air Pollution Control Officer, at the District office at 938 14^th Street, Marysville, CA 95901, (530) 634-7659, and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 26, 2001. [NO PUBLIC COMMENTS]

The Feather River Air Quality Management District conducted a public hearing on October 1, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the District office located at 938 14^th Street, Marysville, CA. The purpose of the hearing was to consider adoption of the amendments to District Rule 7.9, "Air Toxic Hot Spot Fees". [ADOPTED]

Public Workshop Held: August 29, 2001

Subject: To Consider CEQA Thresholds of Significance
Workshop Date/Time:  Wednesday, October 3, 2001 at 2:00 PM
Place: FRAQMD Conference Room, 938 14th St., Marysville, CA 95901
Contact: Larry Matlock, 530-634-7659 x202

Recent amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines encourage public agencies to adopt thresholds of significance. Formal adoption of thresholds for air quality by the Districts will assist lead agencies in complying with CEQA. Thresholds are used to determine if a land use project (e.g. residential housing projects, industrial and commercial building construction projects, and so on) will emit significant levels of air pollution during the short term construction phase and the long term operating phase, and to determine if mitigation measures are required. The Air Districts in the Sacramento area have undertaken a joint effort to establish regional thresholds.  Establishing common thresholds for the entire area will serve to provide a uniform scale to measure the significance of pollutant emissions in relation to the regional attainment plan.

Interested parties may obtain copies of the workshop report by downloading from www.airquality.org or contacting the Air District.

The Air Districts will conduct public workshops to provide an opportunity for public comment on the basis for the thresholds as well as the actual thresholds selected. The dates and contacts for other Air District workshops are listed below. All comments should be submitted no later than October 26, 2001.

Public Workshop, Tuesday, July 24, 2001, 4:00 PM, and Hearings,  Monday, September 3, 2001, 4:00 PM: Proposed Amendment to Rule 8.0, and Monday, November 5, 2001, 4:00 PM: Adoption of new Rule 8.3

A Public Workshop was held to discuss the proposed amendment of District Rule 8.0, "Penalties", and proposed adoption of new Rule 8.3, "Administrative Civil Penalties", at 4:00 p.m. on July 24, 2001 at the District office. The amendment and new rule will conform Regulation VIII, "Penalties and Abatement", to the changing penalty provisions of the California Health & Safety Code.

The public and affected facilities are invited to comment in writing on the proposed rules. All comments are to be addressed to Steve Speckert, Air Pollution Control Officer, at the District office at 938 14^th Street, Marysville, CA 95901, (530) 634-7659, and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 24, 2001.

The Feather River Air Quality Management District conducted a public hearing on September 3, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the District office located at 938 14^th Street, Marysville, CA, to consider adoption of the amendments to District Rule 8.0 (Penalties). [ADOPTED]

The Feather River Air Quality Management District will conduct a public hearing on November 5, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the District office located at 938 14^th Street, Marysville, CA, to consider adoption of new District Rule 8.3 (Administrative Civil Penalties).

For More Information Contact:

Karla Sanders, Air Pollution Control Specialist
Feather River Air Quality Management District
938 14TH Street, Marysville, CA 95901-4149
Tel: 530-634-7659 ext. 205
FAX: 530-634-7660
Email: ksanders@co.yuba.ca.us

PUBLIC HEARING
Held: July 12, 2001

Subject: District Rule 8.0, "Penalties"
Hearing Date/Time:  Wednesday, September 5, 2001 / 4:00 PM
Continuance: Rule 8.3 adoption was continued to November 5, 2001 and again to December 3, 2001.
Place: FRAQMD, 938 14th St., Marysville, CA 95901, 4:00 PM

A Public Workshop was held to discuss the proposed amendment of District Rule 8.0, "Penalties", and proposed adoption of new Rule 8.3, "Administrative Civil Penalties", at 4:00 p.m. on July 24, 2001 at the District office. The amendment and new rule will conform Regulation VIII, "Penalties and Abatement", to the changing penalty provisions of the California Health & Safety Code.

By this notice the public and affected facilities are invited to comment in writing on the proposed rules. All comments must be addressed to Steve Speckert, Air Pollution Control Officer, at the District office at 938 14^th Street, Marysville, CA 95901, (530) 634-7659, and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 24, 2001.

The Feather River Air Quality Management District conducted a public hearing on September 5, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. in the District office located at 938 14^th Street, Marysville, CA. The purpose of the hearing was to consider adoption of the amendments to District Rule 8.0 (Penalties). [ADOPTED].

Adoption of new District Rule 8.3 (Administrative Civil Penalties) was continued to the November 5, 2001 Board meeting. 

For More Information Contact:

Karla Sanders, Air Pollution Control Specialist
Feather River Air Quality Management District
938 14TH Street, Marysville, CA 95901-4149
Tel: 530-634-7659 ext. 205
FAX: 530-634-7660
Email: ksanders@fraqmd.org

Public Workshop Held October 30, 2000, Proposed Revision to Rule 10.3, "Federal Operating Permits"

A Public Workshop was held at the District office on October 30, 2000 at 4:00 P.M. to discuss the rule revision; members of the public were in attendance.  The purpose of the workshop was to address modifications to District rule 10.3. 

The modifications to Rule 10.3 would bring the existing rule into compliance with federal EPA requirements and will pave the way for full EPA approval of the Feather River Air Quality Management District's Title V Permit program. The district Title V program currently has interim approval from the EPA.

The public and affected facilities were invited to comment in writing on the proposed rule revisions. All written comments were to have been received no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 15, 2000.  

A public hearing was scheduled for December 4, 2000 at 4:00 p.m. in the District office located at 938 14^th Street, Marysville, CA.. The public hearing was to consider the adoption of revisions to District rule 10.3, Federal Operating Permits. [ADOPTED]

Public Workshop August 17 and Hearing September 6, 2000, "Rule 10.7, Toxics New Source Review"

A Public Workshop was held at the District office on August 17, 2000 at 3:00 P.M. to discuss the rule; no members of the public attended. Public comments were due at the District by 5:00 PM August 28, 2000, addressed to Steve Speckert, APCO.

The new rule was adopted on September 6, 2000. Rule 10.7 will require the installation of maximum achievable control technology (MACT) at any constructed or reconstructed major source of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), as required by the federal Clean Air Act. 

Public Workshop May 17 and Hearing June 5, 2000, "Proposed District Fee Increase"

A workshop on the proposed changes to Rule 7.7, "District Cost Determination." was held at the FRAQMD office on Wednesday, May 17, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. . The amendment would do the following: (1) increase the hourly rate for District services from $33.00 to $42.90 (for expedited processing, from $49.50 to $64.35); and (2) authorize recovery of District’s actual costs for consultant services.

The Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD) held a public hearing on Monday, June 5, 2000 at 4 p.m. to consider the adoption of amended Rule 7.7, "District Cost Determination." [ADOPTED]

Feather River AQMD News Release - March 14, 2000

Marysville – The Feather River Air Quality Management District Board of Directors yesterday (March 13, 2000) appointed a new Air Pollution Control Officer.

Mr. Steven A. Speckert was appointed following a three-month statewide selection process. He is currently a Supervising Air Quality Engineer with the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District where he has been employed for ten years.

Speckert, 38, is a graduate of the Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology, now known as University of Montana College of Technology, with a BS in Petroleum Engineering. He resides with his wife Lynn and 6 month old daughter Sophia in Yuba City, where Speckert has lived for the past twelve years. Lynn is an Environmental Planner for Caltrans.

As the new APCO at Feather River, Speckert will be expected to recruit new personnel for vacant positions, and work with existing staff to develop a work program for the district’s many air quality responsibilities.

Speckert said that he is looking forward to working with the district’s board of directors to achieve the mission of the district to promote and improve the air quality of Sutter and Yuba Counties. [top]

News Release: Board Decides to Maintain Yuba-Sutter's Unified Air District

After considering a recommendation from Mr. William A. Murphy, the district's interim Air Pollution Control Officer, the Board of Directors of the Feather River Air Quality Management District decided on Monday, December 6, 1999, not to break up the bi-county air district. Mr. Murphy was directed by the Board to proceed with recruiting a qualified air pollution control officer and an air quality planner. [top]

Air Quality Health Alert and Advisory Issued During Pendola Wildfire, October 16 through October 25, 1999; Advisory Lifted October 20, 1999; Alert Lifted October 25, 1999

An Air Quality Health Advisory was first issued Saturday evening at 6 p.m., October 16, 1999, for the entire Yuba-Sutter Region as smoke concentrations (PM10) from the Pendola Wildfire reached "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" levels.  The advisory remained in effect through Wednesday, October 20, 1999.

On Monday, October 18th at 2:30 p.m. the District issued an Air Quality Health Alert for the Yuba County foothills.  Pollutant concentrations (PM10) were forecasted at "Unhealthy" levels. The alert was lifted at 8:00 a.m. Monday, October 25, 1999.

The Pendola fire started on Saturday, October 16, 1999 at approximately 4:30 a.m., within the Tahoe National Forest near the intersection of the Pendola Extension and Baker Ranch Roads north of Bullard's Bar Reservoir in Yuba County.  The fire was caused by a tree that fell against power lines during high winds. It spread to the west and southwest where it spotted across Bullard's Bar Reservoir. The fire burned west to the Frenchtown road area and south toward Marysville Road within a mile of the north end of Dobbins. Personnel assigned to the incident came from local fire departments, U.S. Forest Service, California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection, National Park Service, California Highway Patrol, Yuba Co. Sheriff, California Department of Corrections, Nevada County Sheriff, Butte County Sheriff, Kern Co. Fire, State and local OES and other agencies. The fire burned 11,725 acres and was 100% contained at 6:00 p.m. October 20, 1999. [top]

Board Selects Interim Air Pollution Control Officer to Start October 12, 1999

On October 12th the Board of Directors appointed Mr. William A. Murphy the Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) for the Feather River AQMD.  Mr. Murphy was Fresno County's budget director from 1997 until his retirement in May 1999. Prior experience includes 12 years as City Manager of Anderson, CA., Manager of the Tahoe Transportation District, Administrative Assistant in Chico,  and a Chico Councilman in the 1970's.  Mr. Murphy has been asked to analyze the District's operations and present recommendations to the Board of Directors. [top]

An Air Quality Health Advisory was issued for August 25th and August 26th, 1999; Advisory lifted on August 27th

On August 25th and August 26th the Feather River Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued a Health Advisory due to the poor air quality throughout Yuba and Sutter Counties resulting from numerous wildfires in the north state.  Northerly winds brought forest fire emissions south creating high concentrations of smoke in the Yuba-Sutter region. On both days the Yuba-Sutter region exceeded the State 24-hour average health-based Ambient Air Quality Standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter for respirable particulate matter (PM10).  On Wednesday, August 25, 1999 the PM10 24-hour average was 100 and the 1-hour peak was 255 micrograms per cubic meter.  On Thursday, August 26, 1999, the PM10 24-hour average was 148 micrograms per cubic meter and the 1-hour peak was 389 micrograms per cubic meter.

The Health Advisory read: "In accordance with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) standards, the current air quality is, "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups." As such, people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit moderate or heavy exertion. Persons experiencing questionable or severe symptoms should seek professional medical advice and treatment."

On Friday, August 27, 1999, particulate (smoke) concentrations in the Yuba-Sutter region subsided to below advisory levels due to favorable meteorological conditions and firefighter efforts in Butte, Glen, and Tehama Counties including the Plumas National Forest. [top]