WSR 22-17-047

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY

[Filed August 11, 2022, 9:16 a.m.]

Ecology invites public comment for identification of overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution.

Ecology has begun work to implement the improving air quality in overburdened communities initiative (section 3, Climate Commitment Act). The first step required is to identify the overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution in Washington.

Ecology held an initial public engagement period earlier this year to hear from community members on their lived experiences with air quality. Ecology staff used these comments with existing data and studies to create draft indicators, or categories to represent air quality, or other disparities within the community.

Ecology is inviting public comment on these draft indicators. Ecology is interested in hearing if community members feel their experiences with air quality are represented and if there are concerns missing in the draft process. Ecology will consider input and anticipate revising the draft indicators based on public comments.

Once communities are identified as highly impacted by air pollution, ecology will expand air monitoring in the identified communities and in future processes, and develop standards and strategies to address the criteria air pollution in these communities.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft indicators, draft factors, data sources, and draft processes to identify overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution from September 19 through November 4, 2022.

Written comments must be postmarked by November 4, 2022. Comments should reference a specific text when possible. Comments may address the following:

•Draft indicators for identifying overburdened communities highly impacted by poor air quality.

•Draft factors for boundaries.

•Data sources.

Please submit written comments to Erin Torrone, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: To request ADA accommodations for disabilities, call ecology at 360-407-7285 or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessiblitiy. People with impaired hearing may call Washington relay service at 711. People with speech disabilities may call TTY at 877-833-6341.

Please visit www.eComments.com to provide online comments between September 19 and November 4, 2022. The department will be holding virtual hearings on the draft process to identify overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution on the following dates:

Ecology staff are available to meet in person, if requested by any interested organizations.

For more information, please see https://ecology.wa.gov/overburdened or contact Rob Dengel at 360-480-1453 or rob.dengel@ecy.wa.gov.