NEW DISTRICT TOLL-FREE NUMBERS:

     Main Office Number         888-891-2882

     Residential Burn Line        866-240-0859

     Agricultural Burn Line       866-240-9708

PROTECTING THOSE WE SERVE 

The District Program was established in 1967 by the State Legislature through the "Mulford-Carrell Air Resources Act" which provided local air districts with the primary responsibility for the control of non-vehicular sources of air pollution.

The District lies within the northern Sacramento Valley Air Basin. The air basin is a geographical region to describe an area with a commonly shared air mass, since air pollution knows no political boundaries.

AIR POLLUTION: A GROWING PROBLEM

The air in Butte County does not fully meet the state health standards for clean air. The two pollutants of greatest concern are ozone and particulate matter. The county's sunny climate, pollution-trapping mountains and valleys, along with the growing population, all contribute to the problem.

Ozone is an invisible pollutant formed by chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, reactive hydrocarbons and sunlight. It is a powerful respiratory irritant that can cause coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue and lung damage, especially among children, the elderly, the ill and people who exercise outdoors. Ozone also damages plants, including agricultural crops, and degrades manufactured materials such as rubber and paint.

Particulate Matter is the fine mineral, metal, soot, smoke and dust particles suspended in the air. For health reasons, we are most concerned with inhalant particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10), which can permanently lodge in the deepest, most sensitive areas of the lung and cause respiratory and other health problems.

WHAT WE DO

Our mission is to protect the people and the environment of Butte County from the effects of air pollution. The Butte County Air Quality Management District is committed to achieving and maintaining healthful air quality throughout our jurisdiction. This is accomplished through a comprehensive program of planning, regulation, enforcement, technical innovation, and promotion of the understanding of air quality issues.

As part of our clean air strategy, we do the following:

• Adopt rules that limit pollution, issue permits to ensure compliance, and inspect pollution sources.
• Administer an Agricultural Burning Plan to preserve air quality in Butte County, protect public health and safety, and to ensure agricultural burning, as may be necessary, continues in a safe, regulated fashion.
  
• Inventory and assess the health risks of toxic air emissions.
  
• Monitor the county's air quality by a network of air quality monitoring stations throughout the air basin.
  
• Administer the Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction Program funding projects which reduce air pollution from motor vehicles, and for related planning, monitoring and enforcement.
  
• Prepare Clean Air Plans to identify how much pollution is in our air, where it comes from, and how to control it most effectively.
  
• Analyze the air quality impact of new businesses and land development projects.
  
• Respond to public complaints and inquiries.
  
• Work with other government agencies to ensure their decisions coordinate with good air quality programs.
  
• Help individuals and businesses understand and comply with federal, State, and local air pollution control laws.
  
• Inform the public about air quality conditions and health implications.
  
• Issue permits to build, alter and operate equipment to companies under our jurisdiction that either cause, contribute to, or control air pollution.

HOW WE'RE ORGANIZED - WHO'S IN CHARGE

The Air Quality Governing Board comprises the five Butte County Supervisors plus five elected members appointed by each of the county's five cities. The Board establishes policy and approves new rules. The District Board also appoints the Air Pollution Control Officer and District Hearing Board. The Board meets the 4th Thursday monthly at the City Council Chambers in Chico.

The Air Quality Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body established by State law appointed by the AQMD Board. The five-member Hearing Board is authorized to grant or deny a petition for variance; uphold or overturn District decisions regarding permit denials and operating conditions on permits; and issue orders for abatement. The Hearing Board meets as requested.

Clean Air People - a total of 10 District employees work together in a common sense approach to cleaning the air. They are clean air advocates and include: technicians, policy-makers, scientists, communicators, engineers, planners, inspectors and office professionals; people with diverse talents sharing a common trait - a concern for the quality of air we all breathe.

FUNDING SOURCES AND USES

Much of the District revenue comes from fees paid by businesses and industries that emit air pollution. In addition, there is a clean air surcharge on all vehicle registration fees paid in Butte County. Other funding sources include state grants. The District does not use any County or City general funds.

HOW TO REACH US

We are here to serve the public through protection and enhancement of the air quality resources. Our public includes a spectrum of private citizenry and industries, from a child's day in school to a CEO's decision to locate a new industry and look for a healthy balance of safe environmental protection and a healthy industrial economy. We continuously seek to improve District programs and solicit active participation in recommending program changes, procedures and ideas on how to better serve you.

The Air District office is located on the corners of Skyway and Dominic Drive in Chico. You've no doubt heard the term "customer service", well, take the time to stop by the air district's office, meet the staff, and find out how the District staff makes "customer service" actually happen.