ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
The Clean Air Act requires the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set limits on how much of a particular pollutant can be in the air anywhere in the United States. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are the pollutant limits set by the EPA; they define the allowable concentration of pollution in the air for six different pollutants – Carbon Monoxide, Lead, Nitrogen Dioxide, Particulate Matter, Ozone, and Sulfur Dioxide.
The GCLMPO is a part of the Charlotte Metrolina Area, which historically has had issues with air quality, primarily from ground-level Ozone. In 2004, the EPA designated the Metrolina Area, including Gaston and Lincoln counties, as moderate non-attainment for ozone NAAQS under the 1997 8-hour standard. With significant improvements, in 2013 the EPA redesignated the Metrolina Area as attainment for the 8-hour ozone standards. In May 2008, the EPA revised the ozone NAAQS to provide increased protection of public health and welfare, especially for children and “at risk” populations. With the new 2008 standards, the Metrolina Area was designated by the EPA as marginal nonattainment.
The Clean Air Act requires the GCLMPO to demonstrate that the fiscally-constrained metropolitan transportation plan and the transportation improvement program conform to the State Air Quality Implementation Plan, and not cause new air quality violations, worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the NAAQS.
Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ)
The GCLMPO receives approximately $1.3 million annually in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to help fund projects in Gaston and Lincoln counties designed to reduce congestion and improve air quality without adding single occupant capacity. These projects require a 20 percent local match, and are administered by the project sponsor.
CMAQ Performance Plan
MPOs serving a transportation management area (TMA) with a population over 1 million that includes a nonattainment or maintenance area are required to develop a CMAQ Performance Plan to support the implementation of the CMAQ measures. In the CMAQ Performance Plan and its biennial updates, these MPOs report 2-year and 4-year targets, describe how they plan to meet their targets, and detail their progress toward achieving the targets over the course of the performance period. GCLMPO developed its initial CMAQ Performance Plan in September 2018.
Air Quality Determination Report
An Air Quality Conformity Determination Report is required due to the Clean Air Act’s requirement that an MPO’s plans and programs conform to the purpose of the state implementation plan (SIP) for achieving air quality standards. Conformity to the purpose of the SIP means that the transportation activities will not cause new violations of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the NQAAS.
Metrolina 2050 MTP Conformity Final CDR
Appendix A: Federal Register Notices
Appendix B: Non-interference Demonstration
Appendix C: Interagency Consultation
Appendix D: Metrolina Roadway Projects
Appendix E: VMT and Speeds
Appendix F: MOVES Emissions Summary
Appendix G: MOVES Emissions Analysis Results
Appendix H: Public Participation Policies
Appendix I: Public and Agency Comments and Responses
Appendix J: Adoption And Endorsement Resolutions And Agency Determinations
Appendix K: USDOT Conformity Determination