The Toxic Hot Spots Act of 1987 calls for the tabulation and reporting of emission data from industrial sources. A risk assessment rating based on the health risk created by the facility would then be assigned. This rating could then be used by insurance companies, housing developers, concerned groups and individuals when evaluating the air quality of an area. Arsenic, asbestos, PCB compounds, mercury, environmental tobacco smoke and dioxins are a small portion of the over 150 carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic substances required to be reported by the 1987 act.
In the first hearing on November 29, 1990 concerned citizens, including Lily Phoenix of the MEC, presented their grievances concerning air quality in Mendocino County.
Steve Petrin, paid lobbyist of the timber association, presented a plan that would reduce the toxic visability of its timber industry constituents. The plan would have virtually exempted G-P Ft. Bragg and Masonite from the high risk category. A move which, in financially strapped Mendocino County, would have exempted them from reporting. Reporting of high risk assessment facilities is mandated by the toxic hot spots act, while lesser ratings are left to the abilities and desires of the individual counties. Such lesser level reporting is virtually impossible for the MCAPCD which Faulkner describes as both "understaffed and underequipped".
Questioning the ability of a "bunch of pollution control engineers" to interpret timber industry figures properly Petrin requested that timber association guidelines be adopted. The major revision being the exemption of businesses as receptors of air pollutants.
Given the need to review the timber association proposal , the lateness of the hour, and the ire of the audience Faulkner continued the meeting until December 21, 1990.
The December 21 meeting was a stark contrast to the earlier meeting. Requests for State Air Resource Board participation made by both David Faulkner and the Mendocino Environmental Center were effective. Two representatives of the ARB were present as Faulkner brought the proceedings to order. With limited discussion Faulkner adopted the State guidelines in full, thus insuring the integrity of the Hot Spots Act in Mendocino county.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
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