A Screening Procedure for the Impacts of Air Pollution Sources on Plants, Soils, and Animals

摘要

Section 165 of the Clean Air Act requires preconstruction review of major emitting facilities to provide for the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) and charges Federal Land Managers (FLMs) with an affirmative responsibility to protect the air quality-related values of Class I areas. Regulations implementing these provisions require an analysis of the impairment to visibility, soils, and vegetation (52.21(o)). The information and screening procedure presented here provide interim guidance: (1) to aid in determining whether emissions are significant or whether there are significant air quality impacts under Section 52.21(o), and (2) to aid in flagging sources which should be brought to the attention of an FLM under Section 52.21(p). Impacts on vegetation and soils are the principal areas addressed by the procedure which thus takes a limited view of the possibly broad scope of air quality-related values. A selected review of impacts on fauna has also been included and the odor potential of regulated pollutants is addressed. This procedure is intended for use by air quality engineers and is not a manual for the assessment of impacts on plants, soils, and other air quality-related values such as would be suitable for an ecologist.