Participate in the Development of SDAPCD’s Long-Term Strategic Plan
SDAPCD is currently seeking public input to help develop a long-term strategic plan that will guide the organization’s course for the next 3 to 5 years. The strategic plan will define the future vision for SDAPCD, as it will communicate our priorities within a forward-thinking and clear framework so we can make effective budget and policy decisions and secure the resources to best serve the San Diego County community.
SDAPCD is engaging residents, businesses, community stakeholders, community-based organizations, government agencies, and anyone that visits San Diego County. Once SDAPCD has gathered all feedback, a first draft of the strategic plan will be released for public comment. Once final input is received, the strategic plan will move to be finalized and implemented by SDAPCD.
To learn more about SDAPCD and the impact it has in San Diego County, attend the upcoming virtual community forum, which will give the community the opportunity to chime in on the development of the plan.
SDAPCD Strategic Planning Virtual Community Forum
Date: Thursday, February 8th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM
Register Here
Interested in voicing your input for SDAPCD’s Strategic Plan or learning more, visit our webpage
PAIR Program Yields Positive Results after Completing its Two Year Pilot Program
The Portside Air Quality Improvement and Relief (PAIR) Program has successfully finished its first two years, and the results are overwhelmingly positive. The pilot program was launched in October 2021, in partnership with the Environmental Health Coalition (EHC), the Port of San Diego, the County of San Diego, IQ Air, and Veteran Building Maintenance, with the goal of improving the indoor air quality for homes within the Portside Communities in the City of San Diego of Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, and National City neighborhoods.
SDAPCD administered the program and collected data via the air monitors, while EHC conducted the program’s outreach, equipment distribution, and technical support for issues related to the equipment. Participants received one IQAir air monitor (connected to SDAPCD’s systems), one Blueair Air Purifier, a two-year supply of replacement filters, and a $125 dollar stipend for potential increased energy costs.
Participants of the program felt noticeable changes in their homes such as breathing better, sleeping better, walking around their homes without gasping for air, and climbing up staircases faster. The air monitor was also an excellent tool for families with asthmatic children, as the 3-day air quality forecast allowed the families to prepare the level of their children’s medication.
In total, 556 air monitors and 599 air purifiers were distributed and a total of 830 home visits were completed. With the success of the program, SDAPCD is considering expansion of the program and will continue to implement air quality improvement initiatives.
Neighborhood Improvements Through the Transformative Climate Communities Program
Several projects in underserved communities will be funded through the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program. Through a partnership between SDAPCD, the San Diego Foundation, the Environmental Health Coalition, GRID Alternatives, Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, Project New Village, Urban Corps of San Diego County, the City of San Diego, and MTS, the TCC program will build resiliency against climate change in communities most vulnerable to it's impacts.
Eight different project concepts, based on feedback from members within the communities, have been selected. Projects include tree planting around the communities, transit stop improvements, upgrades to the Chicano Park Museum, and a new park on Boston Avenue.
The TCC grant will provide $22 million in project funding, plus $26 million in additional matching funds from outside sources, adding up to a total of $48 million dollars.
Congratulations to our community partners for their work and dedication to bring much needed improvements to the community!
SDAPCD to work with local CBOs to reduce Particulate Matter Exposure via EJG2G Program (Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program)
SDAPCD, in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and 8 local community-based organizations (CBOs) have come together via the EJG2G program (Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program) to address elevated levels of PM2.5 exposure in selected environmental justice (EJ) communities here in San Diego.
The SDAPCD Office of Environmental Justice will use these funds to work with communities facing environmental injustices to improve air quality. We will be working with the 8 CBOs and agencies to pilot a new approach to the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP). This reimagined CAPP (which can serve as a model statewide) will be less time and resource intensive for both SDAPCD and participating communities.
This program will utilize popular education and participatory planning to have community members identify air quality issues, engage additional agencies and jurisdictions, and co-develop solutions to address these issues. Additionally, this effort will allow us to expand our monitoring network through the installation of sensor-based monitors throughout EJ communities Countywide. The program will also include the establishment of a new regional, air-quality-focused Environmental Justice Working Group, convened in partnership with the County of San Diego Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice.
SDAPCD Installs Odor Sensors around Tijuana River Valley
SDAPCD has installed AQMesh sensors around the Tijuana River Valley area to monitor the air pollutants emitted from the ongoing sewage crisis. The sensors measure air quality by quantifying the levels of various compounds that are being emitted into the ambient air.
The sensors will primarily focus on the levels of Sulfur Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulfide in the air and measure the quantities of the compounds that are being emitted, as these compounds are the main culprits for the pungent odor coming from the sewage and wastewater contributing to the diminished quality of life that residents are experiencing.
The data collected from the sensors will be made publicly available and will serve as another tool to aid the corresponding agencies and entities to demonstrate the need for a solution.
For more information on air monitoring, Click Here.
SDAPCD launches San Ysidro Monitoring Station to measure Toxic Contaminants
SDAPCD has recently started up a monitoring location in San Ysidro. This monitoring station is located along San Ysidro Blvd and is within 130 feet of the 5 freeway. It’s purpose is to measure the emission from the freeway as well as toxic contaminants in the community.
This site is measuring carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter (both PM2.5 and PM10), black carbon, toxic metals, toxic volatile organic carbon, organic and elemental carbon, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide.
The data collected from this monitoring station is publicly available and more information about air monitoring can be found here.
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