RESOLUTION NO. 2003-____

RESOLUTION TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

RECITALS

A. The City of Ashland is situated in the Rogue Valley, where the topographic effect of the surrounding mountains and the shape of the valley prevent lower level winds from clearing the air, thereby creating an inversion layer that traps air pollutants;

B. The quality of the air we breathe is directly related to health of Ashland and Rogue Valley residents, with our young, ill, and elderly people especially vulnerable to air pollution;

C. The City of Ashland consistently invests in urban and transportation design to encourage alternative and public transportation to reduce air and noise pollution and improve the health of our residents;

D. The economic health of any region is dependent on the knowledge and perception of citizens and businesses that it is a safe place to live;

E. The Rogue Valley has made huge improvements in air quality in the last 20 years;

F. At the current level of PM10 daily averages, EPA's Draft Particulate Document of 6/30/2003 would still place the Rogue Valley above the 95th Percentile for the worst air quality in the US;

G. The pending Medford-Ashland PM10 Attainment and Maintenance Plan with Oregon DEQ proposes to ease restrictions on PM10 pollution to allow increases to nearly double current levels.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. We request that the Medford-Ashland Air Quality Advisory Committee withdraw the Medford-Ashland PM10 Attainment and Maintenance Plan under consideration by Oregon DEQ and continue to work on a plan that maintains or improves the current level of air quality in the Medford-Ashland Air Quality Maintenance Area.

SECTION 2. We request that the Oregon DEQ cease consideration of the current Medford-Ashland PM10 Attainment and Maintenance Plan and continue to work with the Medford-Ashland Air Quality Advisory Committee to craft a plan that maintains or improves the current level of air quality in the Rogue Valley.

SECTION 3. This resolution takes effect upon signing by the Mayor.

This resolution was read by title only in accordance with Ashland Municipal Code Section 2.04.090 duly

PASSED and ADOPTED this ______day of ______, 2003:
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder

SIGNED and APPROVED this ______day of ______, 2003:
Alan W. DeBoer, Mayor

Reviewed as to form:
Paul Nolte, City Attorney

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