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Air Stagnation Advisory

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:20:00 PST

The National Weather Service in Seattle has called an Air Stagnation Advisory (ASA) for eastern Grays Harbor, Mason and Thurston counties, effective 6 a.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Monday. As of 5 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2012, ORCAA has called a Stage 1 burn ban for Thurston county. Mason and east Grays Harbor county residents are asked to voluntarily restrict outdoor burning to reduce the potential for a burn ban in their area.

An ASA means that limited movement of the air mass over the advisory area will allow pollution to increase to dangerous levels. Persons with respiratory illness should follow their physicians advice for dealing with high levels of air pollution.

Air Quality Links

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:57:00 PST

ORCAA utilizes a variety of air quality web links for research, air quality forecasts and other purposes. Below are a few resources that you may find useful.

Air Quality Forecasting

ORCAA Forecast Data - ORCAA's air quality forecast data archive

UW ventilation models

PSCAA Air Quality Trend Graphing

WA State Department of Ecology Air Quality Map

Local Air Agencies/Government

Benton Clean Air Agency – Benton County
Northwest Clean Air Agency – Whatcom, Island, & Skagit counties
Olympic Region Clean Air Agency – Thurston, Mason, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, & Clallam counties
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency – King, Snohomish, Pierce, & Kitsap counties
Southwest Clean Air Agency – Lewis, Skamania, Clark, Cowlitz, & Wahkiakum counties
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency – Spokane County
Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency – Yakima County

State Agencies

Lands not under the authority of local air agencies or Tribes are enforced by the state Department of Ecology. Regulated lands within the Department of Ecology are divided into 3 main regions:

Ecology Central Regional Office – Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, and Okanogan counties.
Information and receptionist: 509-575-2490.

Ecology Eastern Regional Office – Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties.
Information and receptionist: 509-329-3400.

Ecology Northwest Regional Office – San Juan county only.
Information and receptionist: 425-649-7000.

Weather

NWS Seatlle Forecast Discussion

UW Observational Data - data profilers and others

NOAA Profiler

ORCAA Feeds Widget

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 07:24:00 PST

ORCAA News

from ORCAA Feeds

More news from ORCAA Feeds.

The ORCAA Feeds Widget is one more way to stay updated with the latest air quality news and information ORCAA. If you maintain a website or contribute to a site that wants the latest information, the ORCAA Feeds widget is a great place to start.

Start by visiting http://feeds.orcaa.org. When you arrive at ORCAA Feeds, you will see a list of ORCAA websites, including specific categories for WA Burn Bans. Click on the feed name that you would like to view. The most recent articles are shown in the center column. To embed the ORCAA Feeds widget on your website, click the "Embed" icon on the lower right-hand side of the page. A dialog box will appear with the presentation for your widget. Once you are satisfied with the content of your widget, copy the code at the top of the box and paste it into your website or HTML editor for further modifications.

If you have questions about this feature, please contact Mark Moore.

Stakeholder Meeting

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:23:00 PST

ORCAA > Main

Proposed Registration Fee Revisions

In the interest of ensuring ORCAA's source registration program is equitable, efficient and cost-effective, the agency plans to revise its fee structure. Registered businesses are encouraged to participate in the discussions at a series of Stakeholder Meetings. These meetings are scheduled:

Monday, November 28, 4 p.m. - 6:30p.m.
Hoquiam Timberland Library Meeting Room
420 7th Street, Hoquiam, WA [view a map of this location]

Tuesday, November 29, 4 p.m. - 6:30p.m.
Sequim Public Library Meeting Room
630 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA [view a map of this location]

Wednesday, November 30, 4 p.m. - 6:30p.m.
ORCAA Conference Room
2940-B Limited Lane, Olympia, WA [view a map of this location]

Please R.S.V.P. using the form below. Contact Dan Nelson with questions regarding these meetings.

Spring 2011 - Gas Stations

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:59:00 PDT

Download the Spring 2011 edition of Air Currents - Gas Stations

Air Currents

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:48:00 PDT

ORCAA > Main

Air Currents is a quarterly publication produced by ORCAA. Air Currents provides detailed guidance on topics in our community.

Air Currents Newsletter, Fall 2011 - USEPA Boiler MACT and Area Source Rules

Air Current Newsletter, Spring 2011 - Gas Stations

Fall 2011 - Understanding EPA's Boiler MACT

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:16:00 PDT

ORCAA > Main

The EPA's Bioler Maximum Available Control Technology (MACT) and Area Source Rules has been confusing for boiler operators. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) published new rules in the spring of 2010, but then announced partial delays in implementation. The compliance requirements of the Area Source Rule, which include the majority of boilers in the United States, ARE IN EFFECT while the USEPA is reconsidering parts of this rule.

What is a Boiler?

A boiler uses controlled flame combustion to burn coal and other substances such as oil or biomass to produce steam or hot water, which is then used for energy or heat.

Which Boilers are Affected?

Boilers that burn coal, oil, biomass, or other solid and liquid non-waste materials AND located at area source commercial (e.g.,laundries, apartments, hotels), institutional (e.g.,schools, churches, medical centers, municipalbuildings), or industrial (e.g., manufacturing,refining, processing, mining) facilities.

Which Boilers are NOT Affected?

Any gas-fired boiler, as defined in this rule.
Hot water heaters (<120 U.S. gallons, <160psig, and <210°F (99°C)).
Waste heat boilers.
Boilers used as control devices for otherNESHAP standards.
Boilers subject to other National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Boiler Size and Construction Date (NESHAP) standards, Section 129 standards, Fuel type or hazardous waste boilers.
Research and development boilers

For more information on USEPA's Boiler MACT and Area Source Rules, download the Fall 2011 edition of Air Currents.

Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:31:00 PDT

No burning is allowed in Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater city limits at any time. Woodstoves can be used, when an air quality burn ban is not in effect. The Thurston County, Washington area was designated nonattainment for PM-10 and classified as moderate upon enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Washington submitted the PM-10 maintenance plan on August 16, 1999. EPA approved the plan on October 4, 2000. Below are a few guidelines to help clarify what is and what is not allowed.

Allowed

woodstove - when an air quality burn ban is not present
barbeque (only charcoal or gas - wood is not allowed)

Not Allowed

campfires
chimineas
land clearing burns
residential burning (e.g. small piles of brush or debris)
burn barrels
any natural vegetation or wood burning

If you have quesitons about these guidelines, please contact Robert Moody at 360-539-7610 or at robert.moody[at]orcaa.org

Survey

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:44:00 PDT

Request for Proposal

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:33:00 PDT

The following proposals are available for bid. Please submit your completed bid to:

ORCAA
2940 Limited Lane, Suite B
Olympia, WA 98502

If you have questions about the bid process or proposal, please email Lynn Harding or call at 360-539-7610 x103

Tabbed Scrapbook

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:01:00 PDT

Current Burn Restrictions

Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific and Thurston Counties: None in Effect*

* no burning in designated cities and urban growth areas (UGA)

Looking for burn ban information throughout Washington state? ORCAA maintains a centralized state-wide Burn Ban website, www.WaBurnBans.net. Visit WA Burn Bans for current and historic burn bans in your county.

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Contact

Current Burn Status
Storm Debris
Port Townsend Monitor
Public Comment

Clallam County		Grays Harbor County		Jefferson County
None in Effect		Air Stagnation Advisory		None in Effect

Mason County		Pacific County		Thurston County
Air Stagnation Advisory		None in Effect		Stage 1 Burn Ban

Email Alert Program: ORCAA now offers you personalized Clean Air news as it becomes available. By signing up for the new Email Alerts Program, you will be among the first to know when we issue a burn ban, voluntary restrictions, issue an air quality alert, or have other news to share. Depending on your interests, you can sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter, or just be notified when a burn ban is issued. We also send out announcements when we change or update our regulations, schedule hearings, or just have timely news to share.

Winds continue to plague parts of the South Sound, but that hasn’t prevented folks from starting the massive effort of clean-up after last week’s storm events.

The heavy snow and ice storms resulted in hundreds of downed trees and broken limbs throughout the region. Fortunately, Thurston County residents have multiple venues for disposal of that woody debris, thus removing the temptation to burn it. Rather than trying to burn that wet, green wood, Olympic Region Clean Air Agency asks residents to take advantage of the free drop-off locations established around the county. Locate storm debris disposal sites in Thurston County. Image courtesy WSDOT

ORCAA has received numerous calls about the location of Port Townsend's air monitoring station. We really appreciate all of the input and discussion from citizens. ORCAA periodically moves air monitoring stations to capture a diverse array of data. The current air monitoring station is located at Blue Heron Middle School, Port Townsend, WA. Residents tell us that it is time for a change.

ORCAA would like residents to know that we are listening to your requests. However, we need your help to find a new location for our equipment. Here's the challenge! Help us find a new location. Learn how you can help.

You can read more on the history of the current Port Townsend air monitoring station on ORCAA Data.

REGULATORY CHANGES

ORCAA Regulation 6, Rule 6.2.3

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED

Port Townsend Foundry (12NOC874)

STAKEHOLDER MEETING

Registration Fee Revisions

DRAFT AIR OPERATING PERMITS

None at this time

ORCAA Data

This site provides an online database of ORCAA documents, including air monitoring data and emissions reports; permits and permit applications; compliance and inspection reports; and administrative policies, plans and documents.

Projects

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:05:00 PDT

ORCAA > Main

Below are current projects that are no longer open for public comment, but are available for review.

Policies and Procedures Manual

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:31:00 PDT

ORCAA > Main

Click the icon shown in red on the Google Docs window to open the document in full screen

Download ORCAA's Policies and Procedures Manual

Office Space for Rent

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:06:00 PDT

Listing for large office space (Suite A) available for rent.

Monitoring Station History

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:44:00 PDT

ORCAA > Main

The following are a list of historical or archive air monitoring stations. This list is not exhaustive. If you have further questions, please email Jimmy Werner or Mark Moore.

Aberdeen Harbor High School

2002 - present: PM2.5

Belfair - North Mason County

2002 - 2004: Special purpose Ozone monitor during Ozone season only

Blyn

2005: Special purpose Ozone monitor during Ozone season only

Brinnon

August 2009 - September 2009: Special purpose PM2.5 monitor for the Heatwave Complex Fire.

Cheeka Peak

2004 - current: EPA NCore air monitoring, which includes monitors for CO, NO/NOy, O3, SO2, PM2.5, and meteorologic parameters

Lacey, Sleater Kinney

1997 - current: mixed monitoring of PM10 or PM2.5 and meteorologic parameters;

1996 - 2002: Carbon Monoxide;

1997 - Ozone

Nisqually Valley

June 2007 - December 2010: Temporary monitor to assess air quality potential impacts of permitted business operations.

Offut Lake

1999 - 2000: Ozone

Olympia, 4th Ave. and Columbia

1992 - 1996 - Carbon Monoxide

Port Angeles

1995 - current: mixed monitoring of PM10 or PM2.5

Port Townsend

2000 - current: mixed monitoring of PM10 or PM2.5; Ozone May 30, 2010 - June 30, 2010

Raymond

2005 - present: PM2.5

Shelton, Cota Street

April 1992 - 2001: PM10

Shelton, Mason General Hospital

May 2001 - April 2011: PM2.5

Shelton, Public Safety Building

April 2011 - present: PM2.5

Thurston County, Crawford Mtn.

1998: Ozone

Yelm, near Mill Pond Road

1997 - 2005: Ozone

Email News Alert SignUp

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:07:00 PDT

Join our email network to receive breaking news about local air issues!

ORCAA now offers you personalized Clean Air news as it becomes available. By signing up for the new Email Alerts newsletter program, you will be among the first to know when we issue a burn ban, call to voluntary restrictions, issue an air quality alert, or have other news to share. There are different ways to become involved. Depending on your interests, you can sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter, or just be notified when a burn ban is issued. We also send out announcements when we change or update our regulations, schedule hearings, or just have timely news to share. Click as many topics below as you like; you can unsubscribe at any time. NOTE: If you subscribe, you will receive your news bulletins from communications@orcaa.org. Please make sure this email address is NOT in your SPAM filter. Also, if you receive the news alerts, but then hit your "Report SPAM" notification in your email client server (AOL, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, etc.), you will automatically be unsubscribed and PERMANENTLY PREVENTED from resubscribing to ORCAA's newsletter, as those services create a permanent block on reported SPAM addresses. If you have suggestions or comments about our communications and outreach programs, please let us know. Send comments to communications@orcaa.org. * denotes a required field

Email Address *

Select newsletters: *

Monthly Clean Air Newsletter
Clean Air Action Network
Burn Bans
Regulation updates
Permit actions

Please check all that apply

This list has a privacy policy.

Radiation Monitoring

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:39:00 PDT

ORCAA > Main

Who is Responsible for Radiation Monitoring?

According to RCW 70.98.050 and RCW 70.94.422, the WA state Department of Health is responsible for monitoring radiation. Please contact the Washington State Department of Health Office of Radiation for specific questions on radiation monitoring. The USEPA also has a dedicated series of pages for concerns relating to the Japanese nuclear event at http://www.epa.gov/japan2011/.

Monitoring Stations in Washington State

There are 4 official radiation monitoring stations in Washington state. These stations include monitors in Olympia, Richland, Seattle, and Spokane. Click on the city names for data in those areas.

If you would prefer a text explanation of any significant events, please visit the EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/japan2011/data-updates.html.

Aerial Radiological Survey for King and Pierce Counties

July 11- 28, 2011

"A helicopter flying over some urban areas of King and Pierce counties will gather radiological readings July 11-28, 2011. The U.S. Department of Energy's Remote Sensing Laboratory Aerial Measurement System will collect baseline levels of radioactive materials. The helicopter's equipment can detect the presence of radioactive materials that emit gamma radiation such as cesium and radioactive iodine. The baseline would be used in the event of a radiation emergency to compare radioactive contamination to the normal levels found during this study. The Washington State Department of Health Office of Radiation Protection is overseeing the project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security" - source

Links

WA state Department of Health - http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/rp/rep/aerial.htm
U.C. Berkeley - http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/node/4950

Employment Opportunities

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:04:00 PST

ORCAA > Main

Current Openings

There are no positions currently open for employment.

How to Apply?

Selection Process

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, an application and resume to ORCAA by the closing date. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by phone or letter.

Application Instructions

An original application must be fully completed. Resumes may be used to supplement an application, but may not be used in lieu of completing the application form. Applications are available at the Information Desk of ORCAA, 2940 Limited Lane NW, Suite B, Olympia, WA, 98502, from ORCAA’s web site at http://www.orcaa.org , or by calling (360) 539-7610 to request that an application be mailed to you.

Documents: | Employment Application

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, free from restrictions because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or disability.

Technology Assessment

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:48:00 PST

ORCAA > Main

This survey should take around 5 minutes.

Do you feel that ORCAA has kept up with current Technology?	----YesNoSomewhat
If not, please explain.
What technology would make your job easier, more efficient, or increase overall productivity? This could be anything from an ergonomic keyboard to faster equipment.
What software would make your job easier?
Do you feel that your technology needs are being met?	----YesNoSomewhat
If not, please explain.
Are you familiar with Google Docs or GMail?	----YesNoI have heard of itI use it now
Would you be willing to try an alternative to Outlook?	----YesNoI like Outlook, leave it alone :-)
What do you like about technology?
What do you dislike about technology?
What is ORCAA's biggest technological hurdle?	----DatabaseFile ManagementEmailSoftwareHardwareOther
If other, please elaborate
What other comments do you have?

Surveys

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:32:00 PST

From time to time, ORCAA conducts surveys to collect information regarding a variety of topics. Active surveys include the following: