2008 Ozone Standard Designation Recommendations for Virginia
On March 11, 2009 the DEQ Director submitted area air quality designation recommendations for Virginia for the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These recommendations denote the status of areas in the Commonwealth that are or are not in compliance with the new standard based direct monitoring and/or indirect evidence. In summary, four areas were identified by the DEQ that do not meet the new standard at the present time. These areas are:
- Northern Virginia (Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, City of Manassas, and City of Manassas Park)
- Fredericksburg (Part of Caroline County, Spotsylvania County, Stafford County, and City of Fredericksburg)
- Richmond – Petersburg (Charles City County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Prince George County, City of Colonial Heights, City of Hopewell, City of Petersburg, and City of Richmond)
- Hampton Roads (Gloucester County, Isle of Wight County, James City County, York County, City of Chesapeake, City of Hampton, City of Newport News, City of Norfolk, City of Poquoson, City of Portsmouth, City of Suffolk, City of Virginia Beach, and City of Williamsburg)
EPA will consider these recommendations and respond to DEQ by November 2009 with any changes that they will propose to make to the state recommendations. A federal public review and comment period will follow and then EPA will publish final recommendations by March 12, 2010.
- Virginia Recommendations Cover Letter
- Technical Support Document