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Environmental Quality Branch AIR PROTECTION Georgia Basin / Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy
An airshed or air basin is an area in which the movement of air is hindered by the terrain and weather conditions. Pollutants that are either emitted within the airshed or transported from outside tend to be trapped in the airshed. A mountain valley, such as those found in B.C., is a example of an airshed. These areas frequently experience "temperature inversions," in which the air near the ground becomes very stable and the winds are light. The stagnant air mass and the confining valley walls keep pollutants from being dispersed, which can lead to high levels of air pollution. Many B.C. communities have periods of unacceptable air quality, with adverse effects on human health, the environment and visibility. Airsheds know no political boundaries, be they local, regional or national. Where many communities are in the same airshed, it is effective for the political jurisdictions to work as partners in addressing the air quality issues they share. This effort is called airshed planning. It has become a key priority for the B.C. Government in dealing with air pollution. The Georgia Basin / Puget Sound airshed lies along the western coast of Canada and the United States. It is composed of two smaller airsheds: the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound. The Georgia Basin airshed includes the Canadian portion of the basin, Whatcom County in Washington State and the southern coast of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Puget Sound airshed encompasses the counties south of Whatcom County. Vancouver (Georgia Basin airshed) and Seattle (Puget Sound airshed) are the largest communities, causing the most pollution in the airshed. Canadian and US government agencies are taking numerous actions to reduce air pollution and its impacts in this region, under the Georgia Basin / Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy, described below. First Nations (Coast Salish) and nongovernmental groups are also involved in developing the strategy.
The major sources of air pollution in the Georgia Basin / Puget Sound airshed are motor vehicles; marine vessels; wood stoves, fireplaces and furnaces; open burning of yard and wood residue; industrial combustion; and power plants. The air quality usually is rated as "good," meeting Canadian and US standards. However, it is important to take action to reduce emissions, for two main reasons:
The partners in the Georgia Basin / Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy are carrying out a number of initiatives to address air pollution in the airshed, and its impacts on human and environmental health. British Columbia's efforts are described below. For broader information about federal (Canada/US), provincial/state and regional initiatives, visit Environment Canada's website: Georgia Basin / Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy. Characterization
of the Georgia Basin / Puget Sound Airshed
Guide
to Airshed Planning in British Columbia Airshed
planning is the process of coordinating activities in an airshed,
and ensuring that federal, provincial and local air quality
goals are achieved. This guide is written for local authorities,
community leaders and staff interested in local and regional
air quality.
B.C.
Memorandum of Understanding with BC West Coast Products LLC
re. Proposed Natural-Gas-Fired Cogeneration Project at Cherry
Point, Washington The government
of British Columbia has entered into an agreement with BP West
Coast Products LLC (BP). The agreement will reduce smog-causing
emissions in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed from the BP Cherry
Point refinery near Blaine, Washington.
Sumas
2 Generation Facility: Air Quality Issue Summary This is
the final technical report on the air quality consequences associated
with the proposed Sumas 2 power project in Washington State.
This report
examines options for B.C. vehicle tailpipe emission standards
for the post-2004 period. Among the factors considered are the
vehicle emissions targeted, air quality improvements, potential
health benefits and costs to consumers in the Lower Fraser Valley.
At the time of writing, it supported a B.C. government decision
that US Tier 2 federal standards brought the best air quality
benefits at that time. Canada subsequently adopted those standards
and B.C. repealed its outdated Motor Vehicle Emissions Reduction
Regulation.
The Scrap-It Program offers incentives to get some of the most polluting vehicles off the road, in the Lower Mainland region. The program was the first of its kind in Canada. In 2000, its clean-air transportation options were broadened from the original 1996 list.
Air
Quality Report for British Columbia: Ground-Level Ozone Concentrations
(1986 - 1997) Ground-level ozone concentrations measured at various sites in British Columbia have been summarized for 1986 - 1997.
The Ministry of Environment has monitored PM10 levels at almost 100 sites in British Columbia since the mid-1980s. This report is the first overview of PM10 levels measured in various communities across the province.
Framework
for Air Quality Management Planning in the Sea-to-Sky Airshed
The GVRD and the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) are working with the province to develop a common Air Quality Management Plan for the Lower Fraser Valley airshed.
Here are additional sites focusing on the Georgia Basin / Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy, and related topics.
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