Indirect Source Review
Guidelines
Feather River Air Quality
Management District
1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... i
I. BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................1
Purpose....................................................................................................................1
Pollutants Affecting FRAQMD’s Air Quality .....................................................1
Health Effects of Air Pollution .............................................................................1
Meteorology and Air Quality in the NSVAB .......................................................2
Attainment Status ..................................................................................................2
II. INDIRECT SOURCE REVIEW ...................................................................................4
Indirect Sources Defined .......................................................................................4
Environmental Review Process.............................................................................4
Impact Evaluation Criteria ...................................................................................5
III. MITIGATION MEASURES .......................................................................................7
IV. DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................9
TABLES
Table 1: FRAQMD Attainment Status ............................................................................3
Table 2: Significance Thresholds......................................................................................5
Table 3: Sample Project Sizes and Associated Emissions ..............................................6
INTRODUCTION
Approximately forty percent of the air pollution in Yuba and Sutter Counties comes from mobile
sources, chiefly motor vehicles. Stationary sources such as industrial facilities, or other sources
traditionally considered to be the most significant contributors to air pollution, are largely
regulated and cannot exclusively provide the emissions reductions necessary to achieve and
maintain state and federal health-based air quality standards.
The Yuba and Sutter County area population is projected to increase to 192,700 people by the
year 2010, which is a 72 percent increase from the current population of 139,028. (Sacramento
Area Council of Governments, 1995). The urban expansion resulting from this growth will result
in an increase in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) far in excess of population increases because
people will have to travel further distances to reach their destinations. This means that emissions
from mobile sources will continue to increase.
The California Health and Safety Code requires air quality management districts to endeavor to
achieve and maintain state ambient air quality standards by the earliest practicable date (Section
40910). Districts are directed to consider the full spectrum of emission sources and focus
particular attention on reducing the emissions from transportation and areawide emission sources
(Section 40910).
The California Clean Air Act (CCAA) was adopted by the legislature in 1988. The CCAA
requires local jurisdictions to develop air quality attainment plans to control emissions from
mobile sources as well as the already regulated stationary sources. In 1995, the Feather River
Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD) Board of Directors adopted the Northern
Sacramento Valley 1994 Air Quality Attainment Plan in compliance with the CCAA. The
Attainment Plan includes Indirect Source Review as a control measure.
In accordance with the 1994 Air Quality Attainment Plan, the District is developing these
guidelines. This document is intended to: 1) Assist with identification of significant adverse air
quality impacts; and 2) Suggest amenities that will reduce potential project emissions early in the
planning process, rather than later during the formal environmental review process when it is too
late or too expensive to incorporate the District’s recommended mitigation measures.
The mitigation measures presented herein are transportation and land use control measures.
With input from the community, the District will continue to research other mitigation measures
in order to offer a wide variety of options from which to mitigate the air quality impacts of a
project.
These guidelines will be revised as District programs are implemented and refined. If you have
questions regarding the significance thresholds or mitigation measures, or have suggestions for
other effective mitigation measures, please contact the Air District at 530/634-7659.
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Indirect Source Review Guidelines
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I. BACKGROUND
Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a means to identify development projects that may
have a significant adverse effect on air quality. This document also provides mitigation measures
developers can use to reduce the air quality impacts of their projects. Identification of significant
air quality impacts and mitigation in the initial stages of the development process will allow time
for design changes for air quality mitigation. The intent of this document is fulfilled if the air
quality impact of a conceptual project design is quickly estimated, and mitigation measures are
incorporated into the project, prior to formal application submittal.
Pollutants Affecting FRAQMD’s Air Quality
Ozone - Ozone is the main component of photochemical smog. Ozone is not emitted directly
into the air, but is formed through a series of chemical reactions involving other compounds that
are directly emitted. These directly emitted pollutants (also known as ozone precursors) include
reactive organic gases (ROG) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The time period required for ozone
formation allows the reacting compounds to spread over a large area, producing a regional
pollution problem. Ozone problems are the cumulative result of regional development patterns,
rather than the result of a few significant emission sources.
Once formed, ozone remains in the atmosphere for one to two days. Ozone is then eliminated
through chemical reaction with plants (reacts with chemical on the leaves of plants), rainout
(attaches to water droplets as they fall to the earth) and washout (absorbed by water molecules in
clouds and later fall to the earth with rain).
Particulate Matter Less than 10 Microns in Diameter (PM 10) - In Yuba and Sutter Counties,
PM10 emissions are generated by a variety of sources. The primary sources of PM 10 are
entrained road dust, farming operations, and agricultural burning.
Traffic generates particulate matter and PM10 emissions through entrainment of dust and dirt
particles that settle onto roadways and parking lots. PM10 is also emitted by burning wood in
residential woodstoves and fireplaces and open burning of residential and agricultural wastes.
Health Effects of Air Pollution
Ozone - Ozone is a public health concern because it is a respiratory irritant that increases
susceptibility to respiratory infections. Ozone causes substantial damage to leaf tissues of crops
and natural vegetation and damages many materials by acting as a chemical oxidizing agent.
Airborne Dust (PM10) - Health concerns associated with suspended particles focus on those
particles small enough to reach the lungs when inhaled. Few particles larger than 10 microns in
diameter reach the lungs. Ambient PM10 standards are designed to prevent respiratory disease
and protect visibility.
Meteorology and Air Quality in the Northern Sacramento Valley Air Basin
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FRAQMD is part of the Sacramento Valley Air Basin (SVAB). The SVAB includes the counties
of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sacramento, Shasta, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and portions of Placer and
Solano. The SVAB is bounded on the north by the Cascade Range, on the south by the San
Joaquin Valley Air Basin, on the east by the Sierra Nevada, and on the west by the Coast Range.
Summer conditions are typically characterized by high temperatures and low humidity, with
prevailing winds from the south. Summer temperatures average approximately 90F during the
day and 50F at night.
Winter conditions are characterized by occasional rainstorms interspersed with stagnant and
sometimes foggy weather. Winter daytime temperatures average in the low 50s and nighttime
temperatures average in the upper 30s. During winter, north winds become more frequent, but
winds from the south predominate. Rainfall occurs mainly from late October to early May,
averaging 17.2 inches per year, but varies significantly each year.
In addition to prevailing wind patterns that control the rate of dispersion of local pollutant
emissions, Yuba and Sutter counties experience two types of inversions that affect the air quality.
The first type of inversion layer contributes to photochemical smog problems by confining
pollution to a shallow layer near the ground. This occurs in the summer, when sinking air forms
a “lid” over the region. The second type of inversion occurs when the air near the ground cools
while the air aloft remains warm. These inversions occur during winter nights and can cause
localized air pollution “hot spots” near emission sources because of poor dispersion.
Attainment Status
The efforts of the District are focused primarily on attainment of state and federal standards for
ozone and PM10, and maintaining the standards for all criteria pollutants. Table 1 indicates the
attainment status of the District for the criteria pollutants.
Federal Standards - The District (with the exception of southern Sutter County) was classified
as a transitional/non-attainment area under the federal one-hour standard for ozone. However,
U.S. EPA has recently rescinded the one-hour standard, and replaced it with a more stringent
eight-hour standard. The District has not yet been received a classification for the eight-hour
standard. The exception is the portion of Sutter County south of Subaco Road. That area is part
of the Sacramento Air Quality Maintenance Area, which is classified as a severe ozone
nonattainment area.
The District is a designated attainment area for the federal PM10 standards.
State Standards - The District is a designated nonattainment area for the California standards
for ozone and PM10.
TABLE 1: FRAQMD ATTAINMENT STATUS
Pollutant
FRAQMD
Indirect Source Review Guidelines
Federal Standards
California Standards
Page 2
Ozone
Carbon monoxide
PM10
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Severe Nonattainment: Southern
Sutter County.
No classification: Entire District
under the new eight-hour
standard.
Unclassifieda
Attainment
Unclassified
Unclassified
Nonattainment
Unclassified
Nonattainment
Unclassified
Unclassified
a
Unclassified means that there is insufficient data to determine attainment status. Areas designated as unclassified are
assumed to be in attainment for that pollutant.
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II. INDIRECT SOURCE REVIEW
Indirect Sources Defined
An indirect source is any land use that generates or attracts vehicular activity which results in
pollutant emissions. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) defines indirect sources as
“any facility, building, structure or installation, or combination thereof which generates or
attracts mobile source activity that results in the emissions of any pollutant for which there is a
state ambient air quality standard.” (California Clean Air Act Guidance for the Development of
Indirect Source Control Programs, 1990, App.A, p.2.)
Other types of sources addressed in these guidelines are small stationary sources and area
sources. There are two types of stationary sources: those the District allows by permit and those
that are exempt from the District’s permitting authority. Most emissions from permitted
stationary sources are controlled or offset prior to operation. Unpermitted stationary source
emissions are from sources such as small bakeries, restaurants and smaller stationary internal
combustion engines. Emissions from area-wide sources are largely uncontrolled and include
such things as fireplaces, water heaters, lawn mowers and barbecues. Area-wide source
emissions are sometimes reduced through technological advances or product changes by the
manufacturer, usually induced by legislation or regulation.
Environmental Review Process
As a Responsible Agency, and as a Review Agency under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA), the District has a responsibility to protect present and future air quality. The
environmental review process conducted by the District includes:

Quantification of direct and indirect emissions generated by the proposed project.

Assessment for potential emissions of toxic or hazardous air pollutants.

Assessment for project conformance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations.

Determination of the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures.
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Impact Evaluation Criteria
These Guidelines establish air quality thresholds for indirect sources that, when exceeded, would
be considered potentially significant impacts to air quality. The thresholds are consistent with
the District’s New Source Review Rule (Rule 10.1), which applies to stationary sources.
Projects that would trigger the thresholds in these Guidelines are those which would generate 25
pounds per day of ROG or NOx, or 80 pounds per day of PM10, or greater (as calculated by the
District). In order to mitigate project impacts to air quality, the Guidelines include suggested
mitigation measures (Section III, Mitigation Measures). Developers should coordinate with the
appropriate planning agency to identify feasible mitigation measures.
In general, projects that substantially contribute to existing violations of state or federal air
quality standards are considered to have a significant adverse impact on air quality. While
projects which generate less than 25 pounds per day of pollutants are considered to result in a
detrimental impact to air quality, they are unlikely to be determined to be significant adverse air
quality impacts, particularly with incorporation of mitigation measures. This is generally due to
the small nature of the project.
The project-specific significance thresholds (Table 2, Significant Impact Thresholds) are
intended for use as a guide rather than strict, absolute values. If preliminary analysis of a project
indicates projected emissions are near the threshold, the project would be considered potentially
significant. This determination would trigger a refined emissions analysis, exploration of any
mitigating characteristics of the project or site, and identification of feasible mitigation measures
to reduce the impact to a less than significant level. Depending on factors specific to the project,
the lead agency for the project may determine that an environmental impact report may be
necessary under the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA).
TABLE 2: SIGNIFICANT IMPACT THRESHOLDS
NOx
25 lbs/day
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Indirect Source Review Guidelines
ROG
25 lbs/day
PM10
80 lbs/day
Page 5
Table 3 (Project Trip Generation Rates and Associated Emissions) illustrates various project
types and sizes that would approach the District thresholds of significance. To illustrate, a
project comprised of 97 single family homes would approach the threshold of 25 pounds per day
of ROG, but it would take approximately 4,000 single-family homes to approach the 80 pound
per day threshold for PM10. The District uses the latest version of Emfac to calculate mobile
source emissions.
TABLE 3: SAMPLE PROJECT SIZES
AND ASSOCIATED EMISSIONS
Land Use
Unit of
Significance Thresholds
Emissions (lbs.day)a
Measure
ROG:25
NOX:25
PM10:80b
Project Size (in GSF, GLA, D.U.)
Light Industrial
Single Family Homes
Apartment
Elementary School
Small Office Building
Supermarket
Community Shopping Ctr.
Fast-Food(no drive-thru)
Quality Restaurant
Walk-In Bank
1000 GSF
D.U.
D.U.
1000 GSF
1000 GSF
1000 GLA
1000 GLA
1000 GSF
1000 GSF
1000 GSF
143
97
136
101
52
6
21
1
12
8
156
119
167
109
57
7
22
2
12
9
4,000
4,000
4,000
2,667
1,600
195
615
44
348
242
GSF = Gross Square Feet; GLA = Gross Leasable Area; D.U. = Dwelling Unit
a
Emissions based on CARB’s EMFAC7F1.1, URBEMIS5: For a weighted fleet mix; average trip length 10 miles;
speed 30 MPH; summer,temperature 90 F.
b
Urbemis 5 calculates PM10 for exhaust and tire wear only; the model does not currently calculate re-entrained road
dust for paved or unpaved roads.
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III. MITIGATION MEASURES
The mitigation measures in these guidelines are transportation and land use control measures.
They are intended to reduce dependency on the automobile for mobility, and mitigate the air
quality impacts of new development. Indirect source mitigation measures facilitate walking,
bicycling, transit use and other alternative transit modes by making them safe and easy to use.
Supplemental mitigation measures should be considered for all projects that trigger significance
thresholds.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
STANDARD MITIGATION MEASURES APPLICABLE TO ALL PROJECTS
The following mitigation measures apply to all projects approved within the jurisdiction of the Feather River Air
Quality Management District. The developer should:
Provide for the use of energy-efficient lighting and process systems such as, low-NOx water heaters, furnaces, and boiler
units.
Incorporate the use of non-toxic soil stabilizers according to manufacturer’s specifications to all inactive construction areas.
Prior to final occupancy, reestablish ground cover on the construction site through seeding and watering.
All grading operations on a project shall be suspended as directed by the Air District when winds exceed 20 miles per hour.
All newly installed wood burning devices shall be EPA Phase II certified.
Streets shall be designed to maximize pedestrian access to transit stops where feasible.
Large residential, commercial, and industrial projects should include bus shelters at transit access points where deemed
appropriate by Yuba-Sutter Transit Authority.
Provide temporary traffic control as needed during all phases of construction to improve traffic flow, as deemed appropriate
by the Department of Public Works and/or Caltrans.
Construction activities shall minimize disruptions to traffic flow during peak hours to the greatest feasible extent.
Construction sites shall be watered as directed by the Department of Public Works or Air Quality Management District.
All trucks hauling dirt, sand, soil, or other loose material should be covered or should maintain at least two feet of freeboard
(i.e., minimum vertical distance between top of the load and top of the trailer) in accordance with the requirements of
California Vehicle Code Section 23114. This provision shall be enforced by local law enforcement agencies.
Paved streets shall be swept (water sweeper with reclaimed water recommended) at the end of each day if substantial volumes
of soil material have been carried onto adjacent paved, public roads from the project site.
Wheel washers shall be installed where project vehicles and/or equipment exit onto paved streets from unpaved roads.
Vehicles and/or equipment shall be washed prior to each trip.
SUPPLEMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES FOR RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
In addition to implementation of all applicable Standard Mitigation Measures, the developer should implement
mitigation measures listed below to the extent deemed appropriate and feasible by the developer and planning
department.
Contribute to traffic-flow improvements (i.e., right-of-way, capital improvements, etc.) that reduce traffic congestion and do
not significantly increase roadway capacity.
Equip residential structures with electric outlets in the front and rear of the structure to facilitate use of electrical lawn and
garden equipment.
Provide for, or contribute to, dedication of land for off-site bicycle trails linking the project to designated bicycle commuting
routes in accordance with the regional Bikeway Master Plan.
Contribute to the provision of synchronized traffic signals on roadways impacted by the project, and as deemed necessary by
the Department of Public Works.
Provide transit amenities e.g., bus turnouts, passenger benches, and shelters as demand and service routes warrant subject to
review and approval by local transportation planning agencies.
Provide/Contribute to pedestrian access between bus service and major transportation points within the project where deemed
feasible.
Include neighborhood park(s) or other recreational options such as trails, within the development to minimize vehicle travel to
off-site recreational and/or commercial uses.
Include installation of solar water heaters for at least 25 percent of the residential units.
Incorporate mixed uses, where permitted by local development regulations, to achieve a balance of commercial, employment,
and housing options within the project site.
Include neighborhood telecommunications/telework center.
Use available emissions offset credits.
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SUPPLEMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS
In addition to implementation of all applicable Standard Mitigation Measures, the developer should implement
mitigation measures listed below to the extent deemed appropriate and feasible by the developer and planning
department.
1.
Contribute to traffic-flow improvements (i.e., right-of-way, capital improvements, etc.) that reduce traffic congestion and do
not significantly increase roadway capacity.
2.
Provide preferential parking spaces for carpools and vanpools.
3.
Incorporate transit-use incentives such as subsidized transit passes and flexible work schedules to encourage transit use and
trip reduction.
4.
Use of clean fuel vehicles in vehicle fleet.
5.
Provide onsite shower/locker facilities for bicycling and pedestrian commuters.
6.
Construct/Contribute to bicycle and pedestrian facility improvements such as trails linking commuter routes as identified in
the Yuba Sutter Bikeway Master Plan.
7.
Provide ancillary services within walking distance of the project (no further than 1,500 feet) such as cafeterias, health clubs,
automatic tellers, post office etc., as appropriate and in compliance with local development regulations.
8.
Contribute to construction of off-site park and ride lots as deemed feasible and appropriate by Yuba and Sutter transportation
planning agencies.
9.
Provide onsite child care and after-school facilities or contribute to off-site construction of such facilities within walking
distance of the project.
10.
Provide onsite pedestrian facility enhancements such as walkways, benches, proper lighting, vending machines, and building
access which is physically separated from parking lot traffic.
11.
Feature alternative work schedules, where practical, that allow for work hours that are compressed into fewer than five days
(e.g., 9/80; 4/40; or 3/36 hour schedules); or allow Flextime schedules.
12.
Provide transit amenities e.g., onsite/offsite bus turnouts, passenger benches, or shelters where deemed appropriate by local
transportation planning agencies.
13.
Contribute to the provision of synchronized traffic signals on roadways impacted by the project, and as deemed necessary by
the Department of Public Works.
14.
Install solar water heaters for at least 25 percent of the building floor area.
15.
Incorporate mixed uses, where permitted by local development regulations, to achieve a balance of commercial, employment,
and housing options within the project site.
16.
Provide video conferencing facilities.
17.
Commitment to support programs which include Guaranteed Ride Home, Subsidized Transit Passes, and Rideshare Matching.
18.
Use available emissions offset credits.
19.
Provide transportation (e.g., shuttles) to major transit stations and multi-modal centers.
Note: Other comparable mitigation measures may be used in lieu of, or in conjunction with, the mitigation measures
presented in this document. Additional mitigation measures should be reviewed by the Feather River Air Quality
Management District.
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IV. DEFINITIONS
ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULES: Typical examples include the following:
 9/80 - Within a ten work-day period, the employee works eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day
and has one non-work day. The 9/80 program represents a 10% trip reduction.
 4/10 - The employee works four 10-hour days and has one non-work day per week. The 4/10
program represents a 20% trip reduction.
 3/12 - The employee works three 12-hour days per work week. Each 3/12 work week
represents a 40% trip reduction.
DEVELOPER: Person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or entity which proposes to
subdivide or construct projects that fit within the parameters of these Guidelines.
DISTRICT: The Feather River Air Quality Management District.
EMPLOYER: Any person(s), firm, business, educational facility, non-profit agency or
corporation, government agency, or other entity which employs one or more persons at a work
site.
FLEXTIME: Different work schedules assigned to various groups of employees. Schedules
vary between 15 minutes and two hours from the conventional start-up times of 8:00am-5:00pm
The schedules do not reduce trips but can contribute to reduced traffic congestion.
GUARANTEED RIDE HOME: Carpooling incentive program that provides a vehicle to the
carpooling employee in the case of a personal emergency.
INDIRECT SOURCE: Any building, facility, structure or installation, or combination thereof,
which generates or attracts mobile source activity that results in emissions of any pollutant for
which there is a state or federal ambient air quality standard.
LOW-NOx WATER HEATER: Any natural-gas fired water heater which emits less than 40
nanograms of NOx per joule.
NONATTAINMENT POLLUTANT: Any pollutant as well as any precursors of such pollutants
which has been designated “nonattainment” by the US Environmental Protection Agency in the
Federal Register, or which has been designated nonattainment by the California Air Resources
Board pursuant to Section 39607 of the Health and Safety Code.
NITROGEN OXIDES (NOx): The sum of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10): Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller
than or equal to 10 microns.
PRECURSOR:A pollutant that, when emitted into the atmosphere, may undergo either a
chemical or physical change which then produces another pollutant for which an ambient air
quality standard has been adopted, or whose presence in the atmosphere will contribute to the
violation of one or more ambient air quality standards.
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REACTIVE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (ROG): Any compound containing carbon except:
methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates,
ammonium carbonates, and halogenated hydrocarbons (FRAQMD Rule 10.1, New Source
Review).
STATIONARY SOURCE: Any building, structure, facility, or installation that emits or may emit
any criteria pollutant directly or as a fugitive emission.
-END-
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