State/Military Environmental Issues Working Group Fall Meeting October 2006.
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State/Military State/Military Environmental Issues Environmental Issues Working Group Working Group Fall Meeting Fall Meeting October 2006 October 2006
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Transcript of State/Military Environmental Issues Working Group Fall Meeting October 2006.
State/Military State/Military Environmental Issues Environmental Issues
Working GroupWorking Group
Fall MeetingFall Meeting
October 2006October 2006
Water ResourcesWater ResourcesSubcommitteeSubcommittee
Water Resources Water Resources SubcommitteeSubcommittee
Co-Chairs: Jeff Manning, DENR DWQLynn Vaughan, Fort
Bragg
Mission: Mutual understanding and troubleshooting through constructive exchange of information on all water-related issues affecting military installations in NC.
Goals:
•Address any DENR water program issue
StormwaterWater supplyWastewater
•Foster collaboration/long-term plans
Issue Update:
•Universal Stormwater Management Plan
Water Resources Water Resources SubcommitteeSubcommittee
Sustainability/Pollution Sustainability/Pollution Prevention/EnvironmenPrevention/Environmen
tal Management tal Management Systems (SPPEMS) Systems (SPPEMS)
SubcommitteeSubcommittee
SPPEMS is a partnershipto benchmark currentpollution prevention activities, establish emissions reduction goals, and share accomplishments across all DoD facilities in North Carolina.
SPPEMS SPPEMS SubcommitteeSubcommittee
SPPEMS SPPEMS SubcommitteeSubcommittee
Goals:Goals:
Promote and implement pollution prevention Promote and implement pollution prevention as the preferred environmental alternativeas the preferred environmental alternative
Meet and exceed compliance requirementsMeet and exceed compliance requirements Reduce demand on state and installation Reduce demand on state and installation
resourcesresources Reduce generation of pollutantsReduce generation of pollutants Institutionalize the pollution prevention ethicInstitutionalize the pollution prevention ethic Meeting requirements of Executive Order Meeting requirements of Executive Order
13148 “Greening the Government Through 13148 “Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management”Leadership in Environmental Management”
Sustaining the mission and environmentSustaining the mission and environment
SPPEMS SPPEMS SubcommitteeSubcommittee
2005-2006 Focus:2005-2006 Focus:
Sustainable installationsSustainable installations P2 awareness, practices, P2 awareness, practices,
technologiestechnologies EMS continual improvementEMS continual improvement
SPPEMS SPPEMS SubcommitteeSubcommittee
Major Issues Discussed this Past Major Issues Discussed this Past Year:Year:
BRAC Sustainability IssuesBRAC Sustainability Issues Contracting Procedures for Federal Contracting Procedures for Federal
Facilities Environmental ProjectsFacilities Environmental Projects EMS Management ReviewEMS Management Review HAZMAT Pharmacy OperationsHAZMAT Pharmacy Operations Sustainability Education Development Sustainability Education Development
and Implementationand Implementation
Special Use AirspaceSpecial Use AirspaceSubcommitteeSubcommittee
Special Use Airspace Subcommittee
MissionMission
• Share information on issuesShare information on issues
affecting Special Use Airspaceaffecting Special Use Airspace• Work together to mitigate or resolve Work together to mitigate or resolve
aviation issues to mutual satisfactionaviation issues to mutual satisfaction• Foster cooperation and maintain open Foster cooperation and maintain open
environmental dialogueenvironmental dialogue
Issues of Note:
• NC Military Support Act Program- Sustain funding line
• Windmills & MTR Encroachment- Cooperative involvement needed
• Pilot Safety & Education – DOT Air Safety Office
- High value customer; stay the course• Radar Partnership - ATC Service for coastal NC
- Leverage mutual advantages
Special Use Airspace Subcommittee
45NM
55NM
Radar Partnership
Cherry Point
V189
Non-Radar Area
Kinston
Manteo
Wilmington
Billy Mitchell
Ocracoke
New Bern
Morehead
45NM
55NM
Leveraging Mutual Advantage
Radar Partnership .
55NM45NM
ManteoV189
Billy Mitchell
Ocracoke
Cherry Point
Kinston
Wilmington
Plymouth
New Bern
Morehead
Underground Storage Underground Storage TanksTanks
SubcommitteeSubcommittee
The UST Subcommitteediscusses any UST issues of concern and provides an opportunity for the DoD installations to be aware of any future rule or policy changes.
UST SubcommitteeUST Subcommittee
UST SubcommitteeUST Subcommittee
Committee Updates:Committee Updates:
UST Section GuidelinesUST Section Guidelines(still under revision)(still under revision)
Landfarming RuleLandfarming Rule15A NCAC 2T (Waste not discharged to 15A NCAC 2T (Waste not discharged to surface waters) – final Sept 1; available on surface waters) – final Sept 1; available on OAH’s websiteOAH’s website
UST SubcommitteeUST Subcommittee
Issue for Discussion:Issue for Discussion:
Underground Storage Underground Storage
Tanks Deed Restriction Tanks Deed Restriction
Clean Air ActClean Air ActSubcommitteeSubcommittee
Clean Air Act Clean Air Act SubcommitteeSubcommittee
Originally called the Title V Originally called the Title V SubcommitteeSubcommittee
Later expanded focus of committeeLater expanded focus of committee
Concentrates primarily on Concentrates primarily on stationary sources, but also stationary sources, but also discusses mobile source issuesdiscusses mobile source issues
Clean Air Act Clean Air Act SubcommitteeSubcommittee
Issues for Discussion:Issues for Discussion:
Comfort Heat BoilersComfort Heat Boilers
Vehicle Inspection and Vehicle Inspection and MaintenanceMaintenance
Smoke Management Plan for Smoke Management Plan for Forestry BurningForestry Burning
Why A Mandatory Smoke Management Program is Needed
Laura Boothe
Attainment Planning Branch Chief
Division of Air Quality
October 20, 2006
DAQ’s Position on Forest DAQ’s Position on Forest Management BurnsManagement Burns
• Recognize and support the need to reduce forest Recognize and support the need to reduce forest underbrush & litter to prevent larger wild fires underbrush & litter to prevent larger wild fires in the future.in the future.
• Recognize and support the need to maintain Recognize and support the need to maintain specific habitatsspecific habitats
• Recognize that prescribe burns helps protect Recognize that prescribe burns helps protect natural resources as well as public welfarenatural resources as well as public welfare
• Want to prevent exceedances of National Want to prevent exceedances of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
EPA’s Policy on Wildland & Prescribed Fires
• Interim policy came out in 1998
• Outlines Smoke Management Program requirements
• States must certify they have a Smoke Management Program in place
• EPA must approve the certification
Smoke Management Program Elements
• Authorization to Burn• Encourage Consideration of Alternatives to Minimize Air
Pollutant Emissions• Burn Plan Requirements
– Actions to minimize fire emissions– Evaluation of smoke dispersion– Public notification & exposure reduction procedures– Air quality monitoring
• Public Education & Awareness• Surveillance & Enforcement• Program Evaluation• Optional Air Quality Protection
North Carolina’s Smoke Management Program
• DAQ certified current DFR program
• EPA denied our certification– Voluntary program– Missing key elements
• DAQ is working with DFR to develop a Smoke Management Program that EPA will approve
Why an EPA Approved SMP is Important
• If smoke from a managed fire impacts a PM2.5 monitor, the State cannot flag the monitoring sample as a fire event.– Flagged data can be excluded in the calculation of the
annual average and from the daily values. – Note that an effective SMP should prevent smoke
impacts at monitors in populated areas
• Elevated PM2.5 levels on a regular basis can impact the annual average.
• Exceedances of the daily standard can lead to a violation of the PM2.5 standards.
What Happens if Violations Occur?
• Areas can be designated as nonattainment
• Nonattainment designation requires:– New Source Review– Transportation Conformity– General Conformity
• This may impact ability to burn
– Control measures and rules necessary to attain the standard
PM2.5 NAAQS
• New standard signed by EPA Administrator on September 21, 2006
• Annual standard remains at 15 μg/m3
– 3 year average
• Daily standard lowered to 35 μg/m3
– 98th percentile averaged over 3 years
• Designations will occur in late 2009– Most likely based on 2007-2009 data
Daily PM2.5 Standard
• For monitors that sample everyday– Use the 8th highest value for each year
• For monitors that sample every 3 days– Use the 3rd highest value for each year
Effects of Forest FiresEffects of Forest Fires
Particulate Matter Levels in Winston-Salem
35 35 μg/mμg/m33
“Pilot Cam”
November 3, 2000: Forest fire smoke covers the area.
November 5, 2000: Cold front moves through.
Both pictures taken around 4:15 PM.
PM2.5: ~ 72 g/m3 PM2.5: ~ 7 g/m3
Conclusions
• A Smoke Management Program that EPA will approve as certifiable is necessary.
• Having such a program will allow DAQ to flag samples impacted by managed burns.– Results in managed burns having less impact
on nonattainment designations
Evolvement of NC’s Smoke Evolvement of NC’s Smoke Management ProgramManagement Program
““Potential Impacts to NC’s Potential Impacts to NC’s Strategic Partners”Strategic Partners”
Prepared by:
NC Division of Forest Resources / FEWG
Objectives / SequenceObjectives / Sequence
Review some of the impacts of the NC’s Review some of the impacts of the NC’s smoke management program to certified smoke management program to certified burners / Strategic Partnersburners / Strategic Partners
Review the background or reasons for Review the background or reasons for these new developmentsthese new developments
increase in opportunities to initiate prescribed firesincrease in opportunities to initiate prescribed fires
increase a closer review of atmospheric conditions for increase a closer review of atmospheric conditions for burningburning
facilitate better assessment of smoke impacts on facilitate better assessment of smoke impacts on downwind Smoke Sensitive Areas (SSAs)downwind Smoke Sensitive Areas (SSAs)
SSAs viewed as “old” SSAs or as “new” SSAs for SSAs viewed as “old” SSAs or as “new” SSAs for visibility and PM.visibility and PM.
responsibility to enter burn information into an “real time responsibility to enter burn information into an “real time electronic database” electronic database”
Participate in mandatory program of choice Participate in mandatory program of choice two systems (Ventilation Index and Atmospheric Dispersion)two systems (Ventilation Index and Atmospheric Dispersion)
– both are enhanced and advance the management of smoke both are enhanced and advance the management of smoke
and the use of fire across NC’s natural landscapeand the use of fire across NC’s natural landscape
Impact to certified burners & Strategic PartnersImpact to certified burners & Strategic Partners
In 2004 the SMP project was In 2004 the SMP project was initiated:initiated:
Fire Danger Working Group –submits Fire Danger Working Group –submits – ““DENR NCDFR Action Plan for Strategic Direction 5 DENR NCDFR Action Plan for Strategic Direction 5
Improving NC’s Air Quality” Improving NC’s Air Quality”
Fire Danger evolves to:Fire Danger evolves to:– “ “ Fire Environment Work Group & Strategic Partners” Fire Environment Work Group & Strategic Partners”
FEWG is tasked with reviewing the Division’s FEWG is tasked with reviewing the Division’s smoke management program and to improve smoke management program and to improve opportunities for prescribed fire.opportunities for prescribed fire.
Fire EnvironmentFire Environment
Protection Section
Fire Environment Branch
Region 1FE Forester
Region 2FE Forester
Region 3
FE Forester
FE Office Manager
Seasonal Project Assistant
Seasonal Project Assistant
Seasonal Project Assistant
FE Working Group&
Strategic Partners
Interagency Weather Station
Network
NC RAWS Logistical Supply
Clerk
Fire Effects Fire Use
Weather Station Network
Fire Research
Fire Danger Fire Weather
Smoke Management
Fire Behavior
USA Air-shedsUSA Air-shedsVentilation Index data Ventilation Index data shows the greatest risks to shows the greatest risks to air quality and visibility are air quality and visibility are in the southeastern United in the southeastern United States, where marginal to States, where marginal to poor ventilation conditions poor ventilation conditions prevail most of the year.prevail most of the year.
This region also has the This region also has the most complex as it has the most complex as it has the highest SSA highest SSA concentrations.concentrations.
NCDFR SMP ObjectiveNCDFR SMP Objective
Afternoon Ventilation Rate*
Smoke Management
Burning Category
Interpretation for Managers
Criteria
0 - 33,499 1 **
No Burning - unless ASA are not present for 36 hrs and favorable spot forecast acquired.**
Air Stagnation Advisory conditions are present***
33,500 - 44,999 2
Mid afternoon burning or burn initiated when burn off temperature is reached. Favorable spot forecast acquired Day burning only if very poor or poor night time smoke dispersion. Ignition initiated when
Air Stagnation Advisory conditions met but last less than 36 hours. Afternoon airport visibility 3 to 5 miles in haze.
45,000 - 59,999 3
Daytime burning only if very poor or poor night time smoke dispersion. Ignition initiated when inversion has burned off. Fire Weather Forecast to specify burn-off temperature
Night time and early morning inversions. Airport visibilities initially less than 3 miles in ground fog, haze or smoke in early morning but 5 to 7 miles in haze during the afternoon.
60,000 – 111,999 4 Burn anytime Airport visibility 7 miles plus.
112,000 or greater 5
Unstable, windy. Excellent smoke dispersal but possible severe fire weather. Burn with caution – favorable spot forecast acquired
Airport visibility 12 miles plus.
In 1974 it was stated, “ to minimize particulate concentrations and In 1974 it was stated, “ to minimize particulate concentrations and smoke in smoke sensitive areas resulting from prescribed smoke in smoke sensitive areas resulting from prescribed burning activities by defining those days and volumes of burning activities by defining those days and volumes of vegetative debris that may be burned”vegetative debris that may be burned”
After “32 years”- is there a need for an After “32 years”- is there a need for an evolutionary change within the NC - SMP?evolutionary change within the NC - SMP?
Protect public & forest health?Protect public & forest health?
Provide for visibility & safety?Provide for visibility & safety?
Minimize smoke impact into designated smoke sensitive Minimize smoke impact into designated smoke sensitive areas? areas?
Maximize burning opportunities?Maximize burning opportunities?
Maintain air quality by identifying acceptable burning Maintain air quality by identifying acceptable burning weather.weather.
Track forestry emissions - TSP? Track forestry emissions - TSP?
– prescribe burning & wildfireprescribe burning & wildfire
Coordinate with other NC state agencies & programs?Coordinate with other NC state agencies & programs?
What are the pressures that we are dealing with What are the pressures that we are dealing with today & into the future that necessitate change? today & into the future that necessitate change?
A) NCDFR is committed to prescribed fire, SM project A) NCDFR is committed to prescribed fire, SM project is directed to increase opportunities.is directed to increase opportunities.Prescribed fire is why the Southern Forests have developed. Fire is indigenous to their development & health. Exclusion will mean species change.Prescribed fire is why the Southern Forests have developed. Fire is indigenous to their development & health. Exclusion will mean species change.
B) B) EPA Rule Making PressuresEPA Rule Making PressuresExceptional EventsExceptional EventsNAAQSNAAQS
C) Air QualityC) Air QualityOzoneOzoneParticulate Matter Particulate Matter
D) Wildland Urban InterfaceD) Wildland Urban Interface
E Class I Areas & Regional HazeE Class I Areas & Regional Haze
““elevating our game” in the current systemelevating our game” in the current system
standards of accuracy
? verification of accuracy
update procedure
spot forecasts
Night time winds forecast period
Mixing height standardization / weighted averaging
? District SMP Refreshers
review training content
Prescribe Burn Boss
? S-290 / 390
elevating the current system - continuedelevating the current system - continued
? Field pocket guides
Tonnage estimates
Literature, Photo Series, Consume, but not distributed to field
historical climatology for pre-planning / there but not used & needs refinement
ASA return to SMP
? 1 % on site reviews
? Classifying Areas a GIS application
PC software applications
Process to adjust from a BC 1 to a BC 2Process to adjust from a BC 1 to a BC 2&&
the Spot Forecast & Synoptic Triggers the Spot Forecast & Synoptic Triggers Dilemmas Dilemmas
LEGEND: VR = ventilation rate, NTSD = night time smoke dispersion, BC = burning category, NWS National Weather Service
Is today’s NWS Forecasted mixing height
1,640 ft.?
Forecasted transport winds 9 mph?
Forecasted VR 17,220 but < 33,500?
Does the Spot Forecast validate the prescription? (Exception can be Burning Category)
No burning permissible today
If NO to ANY question
If YES to ALL questions Is the forecasted NTSD
Poor or Very Poor?
Is tomorrow’s forecasted VR 33,500?
Burning permissible today using a VR equating to a BC 2 level.
No
No burning permissible today
Yes
Yes
No
WITH FULL PARTICIPATION OF NATURAL RESOURCE AGENCIES THE POTENTIAL INTERAGENCY FIRE DANGER NETWORK BY THE OLD NWS CLIMATIC ZONES" (A COMBINATION OF 41 RAWS, AWS, & MANUAL). 1. All 12 Preparedness RAWS are operational as well as Hofmann Forest while the Dare Bomb Range RAWS continue to make steady, slow progress towards going operational. 2. Potential sites to be explored are the Pee Dee NWR & Camp Butner. 3. There are four – 2003 Preparedness RAWS scheduled for purchase & installation in 2004 and upgrades for three Handar 540 DCPs & three FTS FWS 11 DLs. 4. There are plans to purchase at least two more Fire RAWS for a total fleet of 6 Fire RAWS.
NCDFR existing stations (13) either owned by the Division or under full management. NCDFR manual stations (1) (three replaced by RAWS). Retired manual stations (3) NCDFR is currently negotiating & committed to preparing MOU's for these stations (4) (to assist in or to be under full management by the Division).
USFS Automated Weather Stations (9). USFWS Automated Weather Stations (4). NPS Automated Weather Station (1)
Locations of the new GOES Fire Danger Stations (2002 Preparedness RAWS). New Fire Danger RAWS (4) scheduled for online in January 2004 / 2 new High elevation FD stations are proposed / Radioize the network
Fire RAWS
Fire Research RAWS
Rev. 10/16/06
CSI RAWS
National Fire Danger Rating System & its National Fire Danger Rating System & its “numbers” can assist in assessment of “numbers” can assist in assessment of burning conditions & fuel consumptionburning conditions & fuel consumption
intermediate calculated valuesintermediate calculated values final output valuesfinal output values how do present values compare to how do present values compare to
seasonal values, & critical threshold seasonal values, & critical threshold
values? (use of Fire Danger pocket card)values? (use of Fire Danger pocket card) NFDRS Point Forecasts NFDRS Point Forecasts
Fire ResearchFire Research
OREBS – operational research evaluation burnsOREBS – operational research evaluation burns
PM RadiosondePM Radiosonde
Live Fuel Moisture (LFM) StudyLive Fuel Moisture (LFM) Study
Ignition of Organic SoilsIgnition of Organic Soils
Atmospheric Dispersion ModelsAtmospheric Dispersion Models
Assume smoke travels in a Assume smoke travels in a straight line under steady straight line under steady state conditions (speed and state conditions (speed and direction of particles do not direction of particles do not change during the model change during the model simulation period)simulation period)
Commonly used with flat or Commonly used with flat or rolling terrainrolling terrain
VSMOKE
VSMOKE-GIS
Current Predictive Tools/Models for Current Predictive Tools/Models for Smoke and Air QualitySmoke and Air Quality
A new look for SSA for Particulate Matter A new look for SSA for Particulate Matter Evaluation of peak 1 hr. PM releaseEvaluation of peak 1 hr. PM release
PM2.5 24-hr Avg. Conc. (ug/m3)
PM2.5 1-hr Avg. Conc. (ug/m3)
Index Values
Visibility (Miles)
Level of Health Concern
Caution Cautionary Statements
0.0– 15.4 0.0 – 40.0 0-50 > 10 Good None
15.5 – 40.4 40.1 – 80.0 51 – 100** 5.1 – 10.0 Moderate None
40.5 – 65.4 80.1 – 175.0 101 - 150 3.1 – 5.0Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should limit prolonged exertion.
65.5 – 150.4 175.1 – 300.0 151 – 200 1.6 – 3.0 Unhealthy
People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid prolonged exertion, everyone else should limit prolonged exertion
150.5 – 250.4
300.1 – 500 201 – 300 1.0 – 1.5 Very Unhealthy
People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid any outdoor activity, everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion.
250.5 + 500.0 + 301 - 500 < 1 < 1.0 Hazardous
Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Posted Posted Speed LimitSpeed Limit
(EB + FB) x (AF)(EB + FB) x (AF) MAV (ft.)MAV (ft.)
1010 (10.5 + 6.6) x 1.75(10.5 + 6.6) x 1.75 2828
1515 (16.0 + 12.5) x 1.75(16.0 + 12.5) x 1.75 5050
2020 (21.5 + 22.2 ) x 1.75(21.5 + 22.2 ) x 1.75 7676
2525 (27.0 + 34.7) x 1.75(27.0 + 34.7) x 1.75 108108
3030 (32.5 + 50.0) x 1.75(32.5 + 50.0) x 1.75 144144
3535 (38.0 + 68.0) x 1.75(38.0 + 68.0) x 1.75 185185
4040 (43.5 + 88.9) x 1.75(43.5 + 88.9) x 1.75 232232
4545 (49.0 + 112.5) x 1.75(49.0 + 112.5) x 1.75 283283
5050 (54.5 + 138.9) x 1.75(54.5 + 138.9) x 1.75 338338
5555 (60.0 + 168.0) x 1.75(60.0 + 168.0) x 1.75 399399
6060 (65.5 + 200.0) x 1.75(65.5 + 200.0) x 1.75 465465
6565 (71.0 + 234.7) x 1.75(71.0 + 234.7) x 1.75 535535
MAV = minimum acceptable visibility at posted speedEB = Eye-to-brain reaction distance under clear conditionsFB = Foot-to-brake reaction distance under clear conditionsEB + FB = Total distance traveled while braking under ideal conditionsAF = 1.75 (constant)
A new look at SSA for visibilityA new look at SSA for visibility
Doppler Radar capture of Cedar Island smoke plumeDoppler Radar capture of Cedar Island smoke plume
Main plume Cedar Island burn 6 April 2005 looking generally north. 4934 acres. ~1300 LST
Daysmoke simulation of Cedar Island plume looking downwind at ~1300 LST. Altitude of both plumes is about 12,000 feet.
South Mountain Burn accomplished under South Mountain Burn accomplished under VSMOKEVSMOKE
50 acres were burned50 acres were burned22 tons were consumed22 tons were consumed1100 tons released1100 tons releasedThis exceeded the VIS This exceeded the VIS tonnage allowable on a tonnage allowable on a BC 2 in a 16,000 acre BC 2 in a 16,000 acre area within 10-20 miles area within 10-20 miles of SSA.of SSA.More planning / More planning / scrutinizing / evaluatingscrutinizing / evaluatingWhat about TWS < 9 ? What about TWS < 9 ? What Fuel Moisture What Fuel Moisture values were used or values were used or where did they come where did they come from?from?
EBAM unit
State/Military State/Military Environmental Issues Environmental Issues
Working GroupWorking Group
Other Issues?Other Issues?
