Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake, Tooele, and Weber Counties
Air Quality Planning	HOME | ABOUT WFRC | CONTACT US | SITE MAP
The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments as well as the 1991 ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) have forged strong relationships between regional transportation and air quality plans to achieve acceptable air quality. A sound and achievable SIP (State Implementation Plan [for air quality]) is the cornerstone of this integrated planning requirement. There is a separate section in the SIP for each major regulated pollutant within each region. Within the Wasatch Front Region, there are four areas that require individual sections: those being Salt Lake County, Davis County, Ogden City and Salt Lake City. Regulated pollutants include PM-10, PM-2.5, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide and hydrocarbons. In June 2005, the original 1-hour ozone standard will be revoked inasmuch as EPA has established a new 8-hour ozone standard. Salt Lake and Davis Counties are in attainment for the new 8-hour standard, so the existing SIP for these counties based on the old 1-hour standard will become obsolete. Access to current Utah Division of Air Quality SIP can be found by clicking here. The Regional Council, UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation) and USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) must demonstrate that the 30 year RTP (Regional Transportation Plan) and the five year TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) conform to the goals, objectives, and broad intentions of the various SIPs. Failure to establish conformity between the regional transportation plans and the adopted Utah State SIPs triggers a withholding of federal transportation funds for that region. A copy of the most recent Regional Council conformity report can be found by clicking here. In the urbanized areas of Salt Lake and Ogden, where growth is strong and economic development is well-diversified, difficult policy decisions need to be addressed for the public to continue making strides in cleaning the air and enjoying efficient mobility. Two main objectives must be met to satisfy the transportation interests in air quality planning. First, SIPs need to be developed to meet the required air quality guidelines of the region and to identify ways in which air quality improvements may take place during periods of rapid growth. Second, transportation improvements, and mobility needs in general, must be consistent with the air quality needs of the region. In the end, air quality plans must allocate how much emissions are allowed to come from each different source, and transportation plans and programs must stay equal to or below the transportation sector’s emission limit for the region to attain and maintain healthy air. Out of the conformity process, priority must be placed on measures which effectively move people and goods and meet air quality requirements. All current transportation plans from the Wasatch Front Region presently conform to the established SIP and its various sections. Changes are being made to federal air quality standards which will require corresponding changes to the SIP. The Wasatch Front Region is listed as being in attainment (or “maintenance”) for all major regulated pollutants. Staff Contact: Kip Billings Click here to download the current Air Quality Conformity Report.
Updated March 2, 2006
Wasatch Front Regional Council 295 N. Jimmy Doolittle Road | Salt Lake City, Utah 84116 | USA Salt Lake Phone (801) 363-4250 | Ogden Area Phone (801) 773-5559 | FAX (801) 363-4230 Web comments to wfrc@wfrc.org