OKC Plan, 2000-2020 - City of Oklahoma City

From an environmental perspective, Oklahoma City has several special qualities.
Oklahoma City is positioned along two unique physiographic areas called the Cross Timbers and the
Reddish Prairies. These features contain distinct land forms and vegetation types that mark an
important biological transition between the eastern woodlands and western plains. The city also
falls within the basin of three major river systems; the North Canadian, Canadian, and Cimarron.
Finally, eastern Oklahoma City lies atop the Central Oklahoma Aquifer, an important and sensitive
drinking water source for the metropolitan area, that contains numerous public water supply wells.
The Central Oklahoma Aquifer is commonly known as the Garber-Wellington from the Garber
Sandstone and Wellington rock formations.
Together, these environmental resources provide substantial opportunities to enhance our
quality of life while posing significant challenges to the City and development community in
safeguarding their qualities.
Assets and Concerns
Air Quality
Air pollution has been shown to be a major contributor to environmental health problems in the
United States. In addition, air quality can be a major factor in limiting or promoting area economic
growth.
Air quality within buildings is increasingly becoming a health concern as well. Creating “tighter”
buildings for energy efficiency may result in trapping irritants and allergic materials inside buildings
producing what has become known as the “sick building” syndrome.
The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is currently designated as “attainment” with regard to air
quality by the Environmental Protection Agency. Areas can be designated as attainment or nonattainment
based on National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six criterial pollutants that include
carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and two
levels of particulate matter (PM). The benefits of “attainment” include a reduced risk for air
pollution related health conditions and the designation can be used for industrial recruitment and
other promotions.
The Environmental Protection Agency recently implemented higher air quality standards which
place the Oklahoma City metropolitan area precariously close to falling out of attainment for
ozone (O 3 ). Losing attainment status would require the implementation of a mitigation plan that
could include stricter vehicle inspections, fuel pump vapor recovery equipment, and the use of
reformulated fuels. These higher air quality standards are currently being challenged in the courts
and by members of Congress.
97