Title
Air Quality Memorandum of Agreement (5 minutes)
Andy Henry, LPA
Narrative
In accordance with the Clean Air Act, the DCHC MPO is required to develop and adopt a transportation conformity Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to ensure that the interagency consultation procedures are properly followed for the State Implementation Plan (SIP). The MOA outlines the responsibilities of the various state and federal agencies, the format for coordination meetings, documentation requirements, and the detailed procedures to be followed to determine air quality conformity for the MPO’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This draft MOA is an update to the current MOA, which was adopted in February 2014. Most of the proposed changes are minor such as updating the name of an agency and describing technological improvements to procedures. One notable addition is the requirement to conduct project-level conformity analysis, or so-called “hotspot” analysis.
The EPA designated the Triangle area “attainment” with the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS on December 26, 2007. The area will remain under a maintenance plan through December 26, 2027. Currently, the MPO is required to complete “short form” conformity for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS. The TJCOG has coordinated the conformity process for the Triangle region over the last decade. In addition, it is important to have a formal consultation process in place for contingency purposes, should the area be designated for a future NAAQS.
The draft MOA is attached - MPO duties begin in section 2.1, page 4, and the MPO signature is on page 22. Also, a summary of changes to the MOA is attached.
Recommendation
TC Action: Recommended that the Board direct the Board Chair to sign the Air Quality Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
Board Action
Board Action: Review the Air Quality Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and direct the Board Chair to sign the MOA.