EPA official praises county’s air pollution fight

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003 | 9:55 a.m.

Clark County has installed a new dust complaint hotline -- 385-DUST (3878).

A federal Environmental Protection Agency official characterized cooperation from the construction industry in trying to solve Southern Nevada's dust problem as a unique partnership with local government.

EPA assistant administrator Jeffery Holmstead said during a visit to Clark County on Wednesday that he was impressed with local efforts to curb dust and carbon monoxide.

The EPA designated the Las Vegas Valley as a "serious non-attainment area" for dust in 1993 and for carbon monoxide in 1997. Carbon monoxide is a potentially toxic gas found in vehicle exhaust. Dust particles smaller than the width of a human hair that can be inhaled also can be a health hazard.

"I think it is very impressive and probably unique to have the construction industry step up and really agree to pursue such an aggressive dust control effort," Holmstead said in an informal session with local officials at the Clark County Government Center.

Holmstead is an assistant administrator of the EPA's Air and Radiation Division who reports to EPA Administrator Christie Whitman.

"The construction industry has certainly stepped up to the plate here in a way that I quite frankly haven't seen anywhere else," he said.

While Clark County has won preliminary acceptance from the EPA for a plan to control both air pollutants, it will not receive final approval until public comments are received and reviewed. The comment period closes Friday.

County officials hope to gain final approval for the plan in March, Christine Robinson, director of the county's Air Quality Management Department, said.

But not everyone is pleased with the EPA's approval.

"We're not 100 percent happy with that plan," Jane Feldman of the Sierra Club of Nevada said. "I can't tell any difference from a year or two ago when we look out over the city."

Feldman said environmentalists are concerned about the impact of dust on children with asthma.

"A healthy desert does not have dust clouds," she said.

Once the EPA tagged the valley as a non-attainment area for carbon monoxide and dust, local officials, area residents and businesses were required to develop a plan to meet federal air quality standards.

Without EPA approval, the valley faces severe sanctions, including the loss of millions of dollars in federal highway funds. The EPA could take over control of local clean air programs.

In other jurisdictions, the EPA has required car pool lanes and other restrictions.

Since 1999 Clark County has not logged a single violation for carbon monoxide. In 1985 the valley recorded 41 unhealthy air days due to the invisible gas.