A city (or county) is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims

C H A P T E R   4 :   R E Q U I R E D   E L E M E N T S
   |   186
4
C O R R E L A T I O N S   A M O N G   E L E M E N T S
n 
Identified in statute     
n 
Closely related to statutory requirements
 
Land Use
Circulation
Housing
Conservation
OPen Space
Safety
Noise
EJ
Air Quality
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
San Joaquin Valley
Statutory Citation
Brief Description of Requirement
§ 65302.1(c)(1)
Background report on local air quality conditions, including:
     • Air quality monitoring data, 
     • Emission inventories, 
     • Lists of significant source categories, 
     • Attainment status and designations, and 
     • Applicable state and federal air quality plans and transportation plans
§ 65302.1(c)(2)
Summary of government policies, programs, and regulations that may improve air quality, including
     • Local
     • District 
     • State 
     • Federal
§ 65302.1(c)(3)
Goals, Policies and Objectives, consistent with the following:
     • Mitigate project level and cumulative air quality impacts under CEQA
     • Integrate land use plans, transportation plans, and air quality plans.
     • Plan land uses in ways that support a multimodal transportation system (i.e., dense and compact).
     • Local action to support programs that reduce congestion and vehicle trips.
     • Plan land uses to minimize exposure to toxic air pollutant emissions from industrial and other sources.
     • Reduce particulate matter emissions from sources under local jurisdiction.
     • Support district and public utility programs to reduce emissions from energy consumption and area sources.
§ 65302.1(c)(4)
Feasible implementation tools
§ 65302.1(d)
Consider Air District comments on the draft plan
Completeness Checklist
Required Contents in San Joaquin Valley
Pursuant to 
Government Code section 65302.1
, the legislative body of each city and county within the jurisdictional boundaries 
of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) was required to amend the appropriate elements of its general 
plan, including, but not limited to, the required elements dealing with 
land use
, 
circulation
, 
housing
, 
conservation
, and 
open 
space
, to include data and analysis, goals, policies, and objectives, and feasible implementation strategies to improve air quality. 

---

C H A P T E R   4 :   R E Q U I R E D   E L E M E N T S
   |   187
4
The adoption of air quality amendments to a general plan includes all  
of the following:
• A report describing local air quality conditions including: 
 
» Air quality monitoring data
 
» Emission inventories
 
» Lists of significant source categories
 
» Attainment status and designations
 
» Applicable state and federal air quality plans and transportation 
plans
• A summary of local, district, state, and federal policies, programs, and 
regulations that may improve air quality in the city or county.
• A comprehensive set of goals, policies, and objectives that may 
improve air quality.
A set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out those goals, policies, and objectives.
Federal, State, Regional and Local Air Quality
Federal Air Quality Standards – The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency 
(U.S. EPA) to set and periodically review national air quality standards (NAAQS)  for six air pollutants: carbon monoxide 
(CO), ozone (O3), particulate matter (currently in two size ranges: less than 10 microns in diameter, PM10; and less than 2.5 
microns in diameter, PM2.5, also called  fine particles), nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), and lead (Pb).  Primary 
standards are based only on health considerations, and secondary standards also take into account welfare considerations.  
When U.S. EPA revises a NAAQS, states are required to attain the NAAQS by target dates specified in the CAA.  A state’s NAAQS 
attainment or non-attainment status is determined by U.S. EPA.  States that do not attain the NAAQS are required to develop 
and implement air pollution control plans to achieve the NAAQS (state implementation plans, SIPs) by the target date.  U.S. 
EPA provides guidance interpreting the SIP requirements in the CAA that the states must follow to develop an approvable SIP.  If 
U.S. EPA deems a SIP is not approvable or if a state fails to develop a SIP, U.S. EPA can develop a Federal Implementation Plan 
that can be imposed on the state.
State Air Quality Standards – The California Air Resources Board (ARB) was established in 1968 to address air quality 
problems in California. Since formation of U.S. EPA in 1970, ARB has been designated as the State agency responsible for 
carrying out the State’s responsibilities under the CAA.  Because California was already regulating air quality before formation 
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Boundaries

---

C H A P T E R   4 :   R E Q U I R E D   E L E M E N T S
   |   188
4
of U.S. EPA and passage of the CAA, California was granted several privileges that are not allowed to any other state, including 
the unique authority to regulate mobile sources.  
The California Clean Air Act (CCAA) also directs ARB to set state ambient air quality standards (CAAQS), as well as directing ARB 
to identify nonattainment areas of the State.  In contrast to NAAQS, CAAQS do not have attainment date targets, however, areas 
that are nonattainment for the CAAQS must make annual progress to reduce air pollution levels.  ARB monitors air quality 
statewide through an extensive monitoring network that is jointly operated with local air pollution control districts (APCDs) and 
air quality management districts (AQMDs).  ARB also promulgates regulations that reduce air pollution emissions from motor 
vehicles and consumer products that improve air quality throughout the State. ARB has oversight responsibilities related to local 
air district activities.
Regional Air Quality Management –California is divided into geographic areas which share common airsheds, called air 
basins.  Each part of California falls under the authority of a county air pollution control district (APCD) or a multi-county air 
quality management district (AQMD).  These local districts have the main responsibility of controlling air pollution emissions 
from stationary sources within their jurisdictions, including sources such as factories, power plants, gas stations, and dry 
cleaners.  The districts adopt and implement rules and regulations related to the stationary sources under their jurisdiction to 
reach ambient air quality standards in their air basin, and to enforce relevant State and federal laws.
Local Air Quality –Local government air quality responsibility includes four main areas: land use planning, review 
and mitigation of the environmental impacts of development projects, development and maintenance of transportation 
infrastructures; including transit systems, and implementation of local air quality programs.
At least 45 days prior to the adoption of air quality amendments to a general plan pursuant to this section, each city and 
county shall send a copy of its draft document to the SJVAPCD (
Gov. Code § 65302.1(d)
). The SJVAPCD may review the draft 
amendments to determine whether they may improve air quality consistent with the strategies. The legislative body of the city 
or county shall consider the district’s comments and advice prior to the final adoption of air quality amendments to the general 
plan. The SJVAPCD’s comments are advisory to the city or county
Statutory Requirements in San Joaquin Valley
The SJVUAPCD prepared the Guide for Assessing and Mitigating Air Quality Impacts (GAMAQI), which can be found on the San 
Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control 
District website
. This document, 
GAMAQI 2015
, which has undergone subsequent revisions 
to ensure its applicability over time, provides guidance for addressing air quality in environmental documents within the 
District. This includes methods of determining local air quality and suggested policies for improving air quality. 

---