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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
SOUTHWESTERN REGION (REGION 3)
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
FSM 2500 – WATERSHED AND AIR MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2580 – AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Supplement No.: 2500-2005-1
Effective Date: June 30, 2005
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: Abel M Camarena
(For) Regional Forester
Date Approved:
06/13/2005
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was 2500-94-1.
New Document(s):
2580
8 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
(Amendment Number and
Effective Date)
2500-94-1 dated 10/11/1994
8 Pages
Digest:
2580.1
Revises authority for Regional air resource management.
2580.3
Updates Regional policy for air quality management.
2580.4
Establishes air resource management responsibility for the Regional
Forester; the Director for Ecosystem Analysis and Planning – Watershed
and Air Management; and Forest Supervisors.
R3 SUPPLEMENT 2500-2005-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/30/3005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 2500 – WATERSHED AND AIR MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2580 – AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2580.1- Authority
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is directed to implement the Clean Air Act (CAA),
Public Law 101-549 as amended, through EPA-approved State Implementation Plans (SIPs) or
through Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) in the absence of an approved SIP. In New
Mexico, the Environmental Improvement Board is the state air pollution control agency (except
for Bernalillo County), and air quality programs are administered under the authority of the New
Mexico Environment Department. The Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board has
responsibility for air quality control in Bernalillo County, and the program is administered
through the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department. In Arizona, the Air Quality
Rules are adopted and implemented through the Department of Environmental Quality except
that air quality authority was also delegated by EPA to Maricopa, Pima and Pinal Counties and
Yavapai Apache Tribe. Permits for air emissions on tribal lands in New Mexico are authorized
by EPA Region 6, and by EPA Region 9 for tribal lands in Arizona. State and local air quality
regulations that affect certain management activities in the Southwestern Region include:
1. New Mexico Air Quality Control Act (Sections 74-2-1 to 74-2-17 NMSA 1978). NM
Environmental Improvement Board, Santa Fe.
2. New Mexico Ambient Air Quality Standards and Air Quality Control Regulations.
NM Environmental Improvement Board, Santa Fe.
3. Arizona Air Pollution Rules (ARS 49.501; Title 18, Environmental Quality, Chapter
2, Air Pollution Control), Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Phoenix.
4. Ambient Air Quality Standards and Air Quality Control Regulations for
Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, Dec. 1991. Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board,
Albuquerque.
2580.3 - Policy
Air is a basic National Forest System resource to be protected. In the management of this
resource the Region shall cooperate with other Federal, state and local regulatory agencies, as
well as the public and private land managers to:
1. Minimize the impact of the Region's management activities on air quality and comply
with requirements of Federal, state and local air regulatory authorities.
2. Affirmatively protect Air Quality Related Values (AQRV) within the Region's Class I
wilderness areas (2580.5 - Exhibit 01).
R3 SUPPLEMENT 2500-2005-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/30/3005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 2500 – WATERSHED AND AIR MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2580 – AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
3. Protect Resource Values Affected by Air Pollution (RVAAP) on all National Forest
System Lands.
4. Maintain or improve air quality within Class I airsheds (2580.5 - Exhibit 02.)
2580.4 - Responsibility
2580.43 – Regional Foresters
The Regional Forester is responsible for accomplishing all objectives of the Forest Service air
resource management program and in meeting the requirements of the CAA and state and local
air pollution control rules, regulations and standards within the Region. Program coordination
and technical guidance is the responsibility of the Director of Watershed and Air Management.
1. Director, Watershed and Air Management. The Director of Ecosystem Analysis and
Planning - Watershed and Air Management shall:
a. Serve as principal contact for air resource management and AQRV issues,
including Regional Planning Organizations (i.e, Western Regional Air Partnership).
Develop and present the Forest Service position on these issues.
b. Provide leadership in the inventory, monitoring, and evaluation of AQRV and air
pollution effects on National Forests and National Grasslands.
c. Evaluate programs and plans to ensure compliance with procedural and
substantive requirements of the CAA.
d. Coordinate air quality management with Regional Staff Directors that have
program management responsibilities that may be affected by air quality, air quality
standards, or provisions of the CAA. This includes Recreation, Forest Pest
Management, Wildlife, Range, and Fire and Aviation Management.
e. Provide technical guidance, consistency and training to Forests for meeting air
resource management objectives, including: Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) permit screening analysis; recommendations for approval, modification or
denial of PSD permit applications; and review and preparation of recommendations
for SIPs.
f. Maintain contacts with others, including: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
Federal agencies managing Class I areas in the Region (National Park Service, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service); state, county, and municipal air regulatory agencies; and
the Rocky Mountain Research Station.
R3 SUPPLEMENT 2500-2005-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/30/3005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 2500 – WATERSHED AND AIR MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2580 – AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
g. Develop program direction and budget for air resource management on National
Forest System lands.
2. Forest Supervisors. The Federal Land Manager’s affirmative responsibility to protect
Class I wilderness areas from air pollution is redelegated to the Forest Supervisors. This
responsibility is defined in the CAA, i.e., take affirmative action to protect Class I area resources
from adverse impacts that may result from air pollution. Responsibilities are as follows:
a. Using Forest Service screening criteria, review and evaluate PSD permit
applications that have the potential to affect National Forest Class I areas.
(1) Ensure that states and EPA notify the USDA Forest Service of all permits for
the FLM to assess whether each permit application has a potential to impact
AQRV.
(2) Review PSD permits for completeness and where appropriate, transmit a
response to recommend that the permitting authority not declare an application
complete until AQRV are adequately addressed.
(3) Transmit a response to recommend to the permitting authority that PSD
permit applications that have the potential to affect Class I areas be either issued,
modified, or denied.
(4) Where appropriate, also transmit a response to recommend pre- and postconstruction monitoring by the PSD permit applicant to assess AQRV impacts.
(5) Evaluate ability of the proposed PSD air pollution control technology to
protect AQRV, and where appropriate, transmit recommendations on control
technology for consideration by the permitting authority.
b. Review SIPs and transmit written comments to the permitting authority.
c. Inventory AQRV and other resource values affected by air pollution to determine
baseline and/or existing condition. Monitor selected indicators of these values in
Class I areas and priority Class II areas. Make such information available to the
Environmental Protection Agency and the State, City or County permitting authority
upon request or when resource conditions are impaired due to air quality.
d. Acquire necessary air pollution permits and conduct prescribed burning in
compliance with air regulatory agency statutes and guidelines. Control prescribed
burning activities to minimize visibility reduction and adverse smoke effects on Class
I areas, public facilities, private lands, and other smoke-sensitive areas.
e. Conduct conformity determinations as required by EPA rule pursuant to Clean Air
Act Section 176(c).
R3 SUPPLEMENT 2500-2005-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/30/3005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 2500 – WATERSHED AND AIR MANAGEMENT
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f. Consult with State and local air quality regulatory authorities on pollution impacts
to National Forests. Document written or verbal complaints from Class I area visitors
regarding visibility or other AQRV impairment. Forward comments to the permitting
authority and recommend actions needed to protect these resources.
g. Transmit recommendations for approval or denial of variances requested of the
permitting authority.
h. Develop and integrate a Forest Air Resource Management Program into the Forest
planning and budgeting process.
2580.5 - Definitions
1. Current Condition of Air Quality Related Values. The condition as first monitored
after August 1977, or as can be reasonably established using data before and after that date.
2. Screening Criteria. Quantitative measures for evaluating PSD permit applications.
Includes limits of acceptable change, i.e., changes in the physical, chemical, biological and
cultural condition of a wilderness component that can occur without causing a loss of wilderness
character. Any predicted or measured change at or beyond the screening criteria may define an
adverse impact to an Air Quality Related Value. Use guidelines within Federal Land Managers'
Air Quality Related Values Workgroup Phase I Report, December 2000.
3. Sensitive Receptor. A wilderness component that is sensitive to air pollution and
serves as an early indicator of AQRV condition.
R3 SUPPLEMENT 2500-2005-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/30/3005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 2500 – WATERSHED AND AIR MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2580 – AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2580.5 - Exhibit 1
CLASS I WILDERNESS AREAS IN REGION 3
WILDERNESS
ACRES
(1990)
LEAD FOREST
ARIZONA STATE
CHIRICAHUA
GALIURO
MAZATZAL
MT. BALDY
PINE MOUNTAIN
SIERRA ANCHA
SUPERSTITION
SYCAMORE CANYON
ARIZONA TOTAL
87,700
76,317
252,016
6,975
20,061
20,850
159,780
55,937
679,636
Coronado
Coronado
Tonto
Apache-Sitgreaves
Prescott
Tonto
Tonto
Coconino
NEW MEXICO STATE
GILA
WHITE MTN.
PECOS
SAN PEDRO PARKS
WHEELER PEAK
NEW MEXICO TOTAL
Regional Total
558,065
48,873
223,333
41,132
19,663
891,066
1,570,702
Other Class I Areas:
New Mexico
Arizona
Bandelier NM
Bosque del Apache
Carlsbad Caverns NP
Salt Creek Wilderness
Chiricahua NM
Petrified Forest NP
Saguaro NM
Grand Canyon NP
Gila
Lincoln
Santa Fe
Santa Fe
Carson
R3 SUPPLEMENT 2500-2005-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/30/3005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
FSM 2500 – WATERSHED AND AIR MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2580 – AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2580.5 - Exhibit 2
AIRSHEDS OF ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO
A. Key to Arizona Airsheds.
Unit 1: Colorado River
Unit 2: Upper Colorado River
Unit 3: Little Colorado River
Unit 4: Colorado River/Mexico
Unit 5: Verde River
Unit 6: Lower Salt River
Unit 7: Upper Gila River
Unit 8: Mexico Drainage
Unit 9: Gila River
Unit 10: Gila River Basin
Unit 11: Lower Colorado
B. List of New Mexico Airsheds/Watersheds.
San Juan River Basin
Upper Rio Grande Basin
Middle Rio Grande Basin
Lower Rio Grande Basin
Arkansas White-Red River
Texas Gulf Basin
Pecos River Basin
Central Closed Basins
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R3 SUPPLEMENT 2500-2005-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/30/3005
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed
FSM 2500 – WATERSHED AND AIR MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2580 – AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
South-western Closed Basins
Lower Colorado River Basin
Western Closed Basins
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