March 14, 2008
Contact: Mike Phillips, media relations manager, (480) 312-7825
City Council scheduled to consider
mandated dust measures Tuesday
The City Council is scheduled to adopt a series of dust control measures at its meeting set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in the City Hall Kiva.
The controls affect unpaved areas, vacant land, off-road vehicles and leaf blowers.
The new measures are designed to bring the Valley into compliance with EPA air quality standards for particulates (PM-10) – fine dust particles that can harm health. Failure to meet the EPA standards could mean the loss of significant federal highway funds
Scottsdale is developing a list of approved surface treatments for dust control, and will be seeking public input on the types of stabilizers or palliatives that would be effective.
The new requirements are in addition to the dozens of measures previously adopted by Scottsdale and other Valley cities. Industries also will fall under more stringent regulations, which will be enforced by Maricopa County and the state.
The required ordinances would prohibit use of leaf blowers to blow dirt or debris onto public streets; require paved or treated parking lots at larger buildings; require dust control for large, unpaved areas at residences; require owners of vacant land to control dust or access by vehicles; and broaden prohibitions on ATV use.
For more information on the proposed dust control measures, visit:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/News/02_15_2008_news.asp