Air Pollution Hazards Q&A

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Air Pollution Hazards

Question:
How does the environmental review for a HUD-assisted project consider air pollution hazards?

Answer:
The environmental review should determine whether the proposed HUD-assisted project site location is suitable for the proposal from the perspective of air pollution hazards: (i) from nearby stack emissions, toxic releases, etc. and (ii) from emissions due to nearby traffic and parking congestion. In addition, HUD-assisted projects involving new construction, demolition, conversion of land use, major rehabilitation of existing buildings, and the acquisition of undeveloped land are subject to the requirements of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq). For HUD policy, see 24 CFR 58.5(g) or 24 CFR 50.4(h). For projects subject to Part 50, HUD must make a determination as to whether the proposed action conforms to the air quality State Implementation Plan (SIP) or Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) and indicate any unresolved conflicts with the SIP or FIP (see below). Similarly, for projects subject to Part 58, the Responsible Entity must make this conformity determination and indicate any unresolved conflicts with the SIP or FIP. The project may need to be modified or mitigation measures developed and implemented as a result of the environmental review.

State or Federal Implementation Plan for Clean Air

Question:
What sources of information are available to make the determination of conformity with the State Implementation Plan (SIP) or Federal Implementation Plan (FIP)?

Answer:
Information is available from the State and local government agency responsible for implementing clean air standards for the community in which the proposed HUD-assisted project is located. This type of information is also accessible through the HUD environmental maps, through the following URL: www.hud.gov/offices/cio/emaps/

Information on air pollution sources is accessible through the following electronic EPA web-based database programs:

1. CERCLIS - contains information on hazardous waste sites, potentially hazardous waste sites and remedial activities across the nation, including sites that are on the National Priorities List (NPL) or being considered for the NPL,
2. RCRIS - contains information about generators, transporters, treaters, storers and disposers of hazardous waste, which are required to prepare and provide certain reports about their activities to state level regulators and’
3. Air Data - access to air pollution data for the entire U.S.

For information maintenance by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to State Air Programs and the Office of Attorney General providing Air Enforcement activities and data compilations, see the following URL: www.epa.gov/compliance/.