Fairfax County has chartered a cross-agency committee of staff members to work with citizens groups such as the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) to develop an air quality management plan. This Air Quality Subcommittee (of the county's Environmental Coordinating Committee (PDF), has been working since Summer 2003 to prepare recommendations on local and regional air quality issues, initiatives and program opportunities in support of the regional air quality planning efforts and the county executive’s Feb. 12, 2003, “Declaration on Air Quality Leadership” (PDF) statement. On July 21, 2003, the Air Quality Subcommittee presented a work program (PDF) outlining each task and indicating a timeline for completion. It was at this time that the subcommittee set up four working groups that examined education and outreach activities, current practices and measures, codes and regulations, and planning documents related to air quality.

In January 2004, the subcommittee presented its fact-based findings and conceptual recommendations documents to the Board of Supervisors Environmental Committee at its regularly scheduled meeting. The findings document is intended as a comprehensive yet concise report of the findings of each work group. The document is organized in four principal parts or chapters, by work group area, in addition to an introductory chapter. To the extent possible, each part presents what Fairfax County is currently doing, what is being done on a regional basis, and what other jurisdictions are doing with respect to air quality issues. With the exception of the section addressing planning documents, each part also distinguishes, to the extent possible, activities solely related to Ozone Action (Code Red) days from ongoing activities in effect on all days regardless of the air quality status. This document is intended to be a fact-based overview and not a guidance document; it does not include any opinions, options or recommendations. Visit the working draft of this findings document (PDF).

The conceptual recommendations document was developed based on the information presented in the findings document. The recommendations shown have been separated into four thematic areas. To the extent possible, each area presents recommendations of what Fairfax County could do, and what could be done on a regional basis to improve air quality. With the exception of the sections addressing planning documents and codes, each part also distinguishes activities solely related to Ozone Action (Code Red) Days from ongoing activities in effect on all days regardless of the air quality status. Visit the conceptual recommendations (PDF) document.

The subcommittee welcomes public input about the overall air quality management effort. A public meeting took place Feb. 25 to gather input from county residents regarding this air quality management plan. Click here to see the comments recorded at this meeting (PDF).

In April 2004, the subcommittee presented its 2004 Air Quality Protection Strategy Recommendations document and Clean Air Cafe Menu to the Environmental Committee of the Board of Supervisors. The document was based on the findings and conceptual recommendations documents, as well as the input received from the community forum. The 2004 recommendations have been separated into three major categories. These categories include:

(A) Measures Previously Approved by the Board of Supervisors (BOS)

(B) Additional Measures Recommended for BOS Consideration

(C) Measures Being Developed by Staff for Future BOS Consideration

It is noted that, for some of the recommendations addressed in Category A, the subcommittee is suggesting additional actions to build on what the Board of Supervisors has already done. It is also noted that the subcommittee is continuing to consider additional ideas that were developed internally and/or presented at the Feb. 25 Air Quality Forum. This report should, therefore, be considered as an interim report containing recommendations that the subcommittee is ready to move forward on (or that are far enough along to develop further) at this time; the subcommittee’s goal in presenting this interim report is to identify recommendations that can be considered now, prior to the 2004 ozone season. Visit the 2004 Interim Air Quality Protection Strategy Document (PDF) and Clean Air Cafe Menu (PDF).

The subcommittee still welcomes your questions or comments regarding this effort. Please e-mail comments or questions to Kambiz Agazi, county environmental coordinator.