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NOACA SIP Program

 

The NOACA Governing Board approved the following project as a candidate to be amended to the NOACA Transportation Plan by adopting Resolution No. 2005-012 and as a proposed amendment to the TIP by adopting Resolution 2005-013 on March 11, 2005.

Title: State Implementation Plan (SIP) Program
Sponsor:  NOACA
Estimated Total Cost: $375,000 ($187,500 in SFY 2005 and SFY 2006)
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA

History/Background:  NOACA’s five counties were recently declared to be in nonattainment of the new 8-hour ozone standard. The area was also expected to be declared to be in nonattainment of the new small particles (PM 2.5) standard in November 2004. Recent EPA regulations have set a deadline of June 2007 by which time Ohio EPA must submit plans to bring the area into attainment by June 2010.

In 1991 NOACA was designated lead planning organization for transportation sources under Section 174 of the Clean Air Act. In 1993 NOACA submitted a Reasonable Further Progress Plan for Ozone which became a basis the Ohio 1993 SIP. In 1994 NOACA submitted an Ozone Redesignation Application which became the foundation for USEPA’s determination that the area had attained the old one hour ozone standard.

The objectives of the State Implementation Program (SIP) are to review and advise the Ohio EPA concerning possible transportation related control measures for ozone and small particles under consideration for the 2007 Ozone and Small Particles SIP, provide a forum for public discussion of alternatives, provide a forum for local air agencies and transportation community consideration of alternatives, provide technical and policy advise concerning air quality control options for discussion by the NOACA Board and its committees.

Proposed Project: The SIP activities will involve:

  • Reactivating the NOACA’s Lead Planning Organization designation by Board Resolution and through agreements with Local Air Agencies and Ohio EPA;
  • Performing technical analyses of alternative transportation related control measures for Ozone and Small Particles;
  • Establishing and maintaining Public Stakeholder Advisory Group to review, discuss and comment on alternative air quality control measures;
  • Re-establishing and engaging a SIP Technical Advisory Group to review discuss and comment on alternative air quality control measures; and
  • Formulating a recommendation package for consideration by the NOACA Board for submission to Ohio EPA and interacting with Ohio EPA, USEPA, and peer regional planning agencies concerning air quality program planning and policy developments.
The program will require a full time equivalent air quality planner; technical analysis consultant; project administration, technical analysis reports and a recommendation report. The program will be maintained for two years beginning in SFY 2005. The program is estimated to cost $375,000 (i.e. $187,500 per year for two years). Eighty percent ($150,000) of the cost can be funded with Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds (CMAQ) funds or Surface Transportation Program (STP) administered by NOACA. The non-federal share ($37,500) will be provided by NOACA general funds.

Staff Comment (Summary):
  • The regional project for the SIP program has been discussed at the October 15, 2004 Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS) meeting. While this project needs to be processed through PPR, staff recommended adding this project to the TIP to enable simplified access to funds this fiscal year, if the PPR is approved and funds become available. The project was amended to the TIP via NOACA Governing Board Resolution No. 2004-058, subject to PPR and RTIS concurrence.
  • If the project is to be funded with CMAQ funds, the sponsor (NOACA) must provide an air quality emissions reduction analysis in order to make a CMAQ eligibility determination. STP funds may be required in the event that some of the planning work will be deemed ineligible for CMAQ funds.
  • Special attention should be paid to fleet engine technology and fuels, eco-truck stops and other innovations.
  • Move for committee and public review in order to obtain comments.
Intergovernmental Review (IGR):

Public Involvement:
  • Recommend the proposed planning project be added to NOACA's Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006 Overall Work Programs (OWP) showing outline of objectives, methodology, staffing, consultant, funding and products in the usual NOACA OWP format.

Committee Review:
Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee/Transportation Advisory Committee:
No comments: recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan and TIP.