Res 2002-037 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2.0 Background TNRCC has provided funding since 1995 to allow the A/SM MSA to be very proactive in air quality planning activities. Funding has also been provided for these efforts by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO). Air quality planning activities have focused on monitoring, emission inventory development, and photochemical modeling. Sections 2.1 and 2.2 provide information on monitored ozone levels in the area. Section 2.3 describes the emissions inventory work, and Sections 2.4 and 2.5 summarize the modeling work and observed trends. 2.1 Air Quality Monitoring - Number and Location of Momtors TNRCC has been monitoring air quality in Austin since the mid-1970's. The first Continuous Air Monitoring System (CAMS) in the area was located at Parmer Lane and MoPac (CAMS #25) in northwest Austin. A second monitor was added in 1993, also in northwest Austin at Murchison Junior High School, 3724 North Hills Drive (CAMS #3). In 1997, because of its proximity to a heavily-traveled highway intersection, the Parmer Lane monitor was re-Iocated to a site in far northwest Travis County near Cedar Park (12200 Lime Creek Road, CAMS #38). Two additional monitoring stations were set up in Caldwell and Fayette counties in 1998 to assist in gathering information on area background ozone levels. These are CAMS #62 (Caldwell County, near the San Marcos Airport) and CAMS 601 (Fayette County). Figure 2.1 shows the location of ozone monitoring stations. In 1996, air quality data were also gathered by using a specially-equipped van to transport monitoring equipment to areas around Georgetown (northern Williamson County), San Marcos, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (southeast Travis County). In addition to monitoring ozone concentrations, NOx concentrations were monitored continuously along with wind speed and direction. Approximately 300 VOC samples were also collected during this period. This data collection effort found that, on ozone action days, highest levels of ozone were often registering outside Travis County and confirmed that on some, but not all ozone action days, air entering the region had high levels of ozone and ozone precursors. Additional data support the observation that the region's highest ozone levels are typically experienced when winds are out of the north/northeast or from the south/southeast. 8