Draft Environmental Impact Report - California Off Highway Vehicle ...

3.2 Air Quality
State Plans, Policies, Regulations, and Laws
California Clean Air Act
Butte County does not meet state attainment levels for 1‐ and 8‐hour ozone, PM10, and PM2.5. To
meet the CAAQS, the 2006 Attainment Plan includes control strategies for stationary, areawide,
and indirect sources of those pollutants which are out of attainment. Section 2.7.3, “Regulatory
Influence,” of the Clay Pit SVRA General Plan includes a discussion of the 2006 Attainment Plan.
California Off­Highway Recreational Vehicle Regulations
As discussed in Section 2.7.3, “Regulatory Influence,” California’s OHV regulations control mobile
source emissions (including evaporative emissions) of all OHVs operating in California. These
emissions are controlled by requiring new OHVs in California to meet state emission standards for
OHVs. When an OHV does not meet emission standards, its use may be restricted to specific
months referred to as “the red sticker season.” In general, the Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV) issues red stickers to all 2003 and newer OHVs that are not certified to California OHV
emission standards. Green stickers go to vehicles that meet the emission standards and to those
that are 2002 and older. Green sticker vehicles may operate year‐round. Clay Pit SVRA is currently
subject to the Red Sticker Riding Schedule (Appendix C) whereby red sticker vehicles are only
permitted to operate from September 1 through June 30 each year. Clay Pit SVRA staff at the
proposed entry kiosk will ensure all OHVs operating at the SVRA comply with the Red Sticker
Riding Schedule.
As of October 5, 2010, only 6% of OHVs registered in Butte County were issued red stickers by
DMV. Red sticker OHVs in Butte County and throughout the state are expected to gradually phase
out as they age and with purchase of new OHVs that meet California emission standards.
Regional and Local Plans, Policies, Regulations, and Ordinances
All projects in Butte County are subject to applicable Butte County AQMD rules and regulations in
effect at the time of approval. The following specific rules are relevant to the construction and
operation of Clay Pit SVRA:
Rule 200, “Nuisance,” addresses air emissions that would cause nuisance or annoyance “to
any considerable number of persons or to the public.” Odors fall into this category, and the
CEQA Air Quality Handbook; Guidelines for Assessing Air Quality Impacts for Projects Subject
to CEQA Review (Butte County AQMD 2008) has identified some common types of facilities
that are known to produce odors and established a 1‐mile screening distance. (See Table 2‐
2 of the handbook.) None of the facilities listed in the handbook are located within 1 mile of
the SVRA.
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area
February 2012 3.2-6 Draft EIR