LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLEAN AIR MONTHLY:
A monthly newsletter for local governments about air quality
July 1999

Text-only version. Published by the Regional Air Quality Council, 1445 Market, Suite 260, Denver CO, 80202, 303-629-5450
www.raqc.org
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In This Issue:

Local Governments Continue Long History of Leadership on Air Quality with Ozone Reduction Efforts

Local Government Leadership

Continuing a long history of leadership in reducing criteria pollutant emissions, local governments in the Denver Metro Area are once again taking a leadership role in helping to reduce ozone emissions. RAQC staff have made presentations on voluntary options for reducing ozone to 16 local governments in the region, including all of the 6 counties and many of the cities. As a result of these work sessions with local governments, communities are voluntarily agreeing to make changes that will help reduce ozone. Workshops are continuing. If your community has not yet had a workshop and would like one, please call the RAQC office at extension 303 to schedule a time.

In the work sessions RAQC staff discovered that many local communities were already undertaking progressive pollution reduction or prevention measures such as switching to water based (significant reduction in VOC) paint and cleaning materials, and using sophisticated solvent recovery systems.

Summer Time Ozone Tips

Just like in the winter high pollution season, citizens, businesses and governments are encouraged to limit driving during the ozone season from June 1 to September 15. Linking trips, carpooling, and turning off idling vehicles are all good ideas, especially on high ozone days. In addition, the RAQC recommends reducing volatile organic compounds which contribute to ozone by:

- stopping at the click;

- refueling in the evening;

- avoiding using gas powered yard equipment on high ozone days;

- avoiding solvent based projects on high ozone days;

- using lower VOC products (information available from RAQC office.)

Ozone Alerts to Local Governments

The Regional Air Quality Council will be faxing out to interested local governments, an ozone alert. This alert will let local governments know of the presence or culmination of a predicted period of high ozone. In addition, interested persons can call the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Ozone Advisory Hotline at 303-758-4848, or check the web site at http://apcd.state.co.us/psi/main.html for up to the minute ozone information.

RAQC Member Profile - Don Parsons

Don Parsons, Mayor of Northglenn, was recently appointed by Governor Bill Owens as one of four local government members on the nine member Regional Air Quality Council Board. Mayor Parsons has a long history of involvement in both local government and regional inter-governmental activities. He has been Mayor of Northglenn for 12 years, and a councilman in Northglenn for two years. Additionally he has been active with DRCOG, having served as Chairman in 1992-93 and is active with the metro-mayor's caucus. Don wants to be a strong voice and advocate for local government on the RAQC. He believes the transition to the newly organized RAQC will be seamless as the new board continues the great work of the previous board in implementing the Blueprint for Clean Air. He encourages local government representatives with any issues, agenda items or concerns to call him at 303-452-5302.

Regional Air Quality Council Meeting Highlights Boulder County Local Government Air Quality Efforts

The Regional Air Quality Council has begun to hold meetings in counties throughout the region. The July 1 meeting in Boulder County at the Meadows Branch Library, in Boulder, provided an opportunity to spotlight local air quality efforts and for local elected officials to discuss their concerns with the RAQC board. Local elected officials who attended the meeting included Clark Griep from the Broomfield City Council, Spencer Havlick and Dan Corson from the Boulder City Council, Tom Mayer from the Louisville City Council and Ron Gallegos from the Longmont City Council. Staff were also in attendance from Superior, Boulder, Longmont, Boulder County, and Aurora.

Staff from local communities made presentations to the RAQC spotlighting local air quality efforts. Clark Misner and Dickey Lee Hullinghorst from Boulder County made a presentation on both the County-wide transportation plan and the efforts by the County and other communities to make the Northwest Parkway a transportation corridor -- not a development corridor. Dan Painter and Ron Gallegos from Longmont made a presentation on Longmont's efforts to promote the "New Urbanism" form of development. Erin Vadney from the Boulder County Health Department made a presentation on County Pollution Prevention efforts - particularly regarding the partnerships with local businesses. Alice Guthrie with the City of Boulder showed the RAQC an "eco-tip" video for citizens. The video was designed to help citizens know what to do to help reduce ozone pollution. The tape was produced by the City's Channel 8 television and narrated by County Commissioner Jana Mendez.

When the presentations were completed Councilman Spencer Havlick addressed the RAQC, thanking them for coming to Boulder and encouraging them to continue to implement the Blueprint for Clean Air and to remember that if every one reduced their driving one day a week, there would be a 20% reduction in tailpipe emissions. Through the re-affirmation of the Blueprint for Clean Air, earlier in the year, the newly appointed RAQC indicated that they had agreed to continue to support measures to reduce automobile related emissions and encourage alternatives to the single occupant automobile.

The meeting in Boulder served as an occasion to honor three former RAQC members who all reside in Boulder County. Don Parsons, presented awards to Councilman Havlick, George Gerstle from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and Dickey Lee Hullighorst from Boulder County for their long-time service on the RAQC.

Next Regional Air Quality Council Meeting Scheduled for Arapahoe County - August 5th, Central Library in Aurora

The Regional Air Quality Council is continuing efforts to make it easier and more convenient for citizens and local officials to participate in the region's air quality planning process. In so doing the Council will hold its July meeting in Arapahoe County at the Aurora Central Library at 14949 E. Alameda Avenue. As at all Council meetings, there will be a time for public participation and discussion. In particular the Council looks forward to participation from citizens, interest groups, and elected officials from throughout Arapahoe County. Formal presentations are planned for the Council from Dave Chambers regarding Aurora's efforts to reduce street sand, Linda Capra of the Southeast Transportation Management Organization and the City of Littleton regarding a variety of air quality efforts. For further information contact Annmarie Jensen at extension 303.