HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1299 (2)Agency (EPA) will recommend that the entire county be classified as non -
attainment due to it being in a combined metropolitan area.
A Regional Travel Demand Model will be created as a response to the
EPA's probable designation of this region as a non -attainment area. A
report (model) must be submitted that contains "transportation conformity plans
demonstrating that the region's transportation system (both existing and
proposed for the future) does not worsen air quality." Initial growth projections
will be submitted to the county's planning department. They (projections) will
later be submitted to the commissioners.
• Input will be needed from the county, especially future transportation needs
and plans.
Commissioner Williams asked if a petition could be submitted to the EPA
requesting for the county to be excluded from the non -attainment area.
Yarbrough said she couldn't predict the successfulness of a petition. She said,
however, the petition could be for the exclusion of a section of the county or as a whole.
Chairman Johnson asked what agency made the determination.
Yarbrough said the EPA, and a decision would occur by April 15, 2004.
Williams mentioned there was a difference between the southern end of the
county and the more rural, northern section.
Yarbrough said transportation funds were tied to "conformity," and any areas
classified as non -attainment would probably have problems recruiting industry,
especially companies with air emissions. She said obtaining the necessary permits would
be difficult.
Chairman Johnson said he felt the EPA should be petitioned for the elimination
of the entire county from the non -attainment designation. He emphasized that the county
did not want to do anything that discouraged industrial development.
Yarbrough said that in Iredell County's favor, there were no "violating
monitors" within its jurisdiction. She said Rowan County and Lincoln County, both
included in the same proposed non -attainment area as Iredell, had "violating monitors."
Commissioner Madison asked when Iredell County became a part of the
Mecklenburg County Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Yarbrough said during the 2000 census.
County Manager Mashburn asked when the county became a part of a
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Yarbrough said this also originated out of the 2000 census.
OT1O by Chairman Johnson to (1) request that Mrs. Yarbrough share North
Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection Agency contact information for the purpose of submitting a petition for the
county to be excluded from the geographical area that would probably be designated as
non -attainment and (2) for a letter to be written to the county's legislative delegation in
Washington regarding the rules and regulations being written by individuals who had not
achieved their offices through the electoral process.
VOTING: Ayes -- 5; Nays — 0.