HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 2/22/2022 - Memorandum From Cassie Archuleta Re: Intent To Apply: Epa Grant Opportunity For Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring
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Environmental Services
222 Laporte Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6600
970.224.6177 - fax
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 16, 2022
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
THRU: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager
Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Lindsay Ex, Environmental Services Director
FROM: Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Program Manager
SUBJECT: Intent to Apply: EPA Grant Opportunity for Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information regarding a proposed application for an
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality monitoring grant opportunity.
Bottom Line
The EPA recently opened an opportunity for enhanced air quality monitoring for vulnerable and underserved
communities. In collaboration with regional partners, staff are considering a proposal targeting air toxics and
ground level ozone. This is in line with commitments in the recently adopted air quality monitoring fund offer
(Offer 48.15) to work regionally to explore grant opportunities, and in line with the Council priorities to
improve air quality and advance regionalism. The deadline for the application is March 25, 2022. A Council
Resolution is not required in advance of application submittal, however, if awarded, the appropriation would
come to Council for approval.
Background
Pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the EPA is soliciting applications from eligible
entities to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with
environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic.
City staff are preparing to submit an application for these funds, in partnership with the CSU Department of
Atmospheric Science, the CSU Center for Environmental Justice, and Larimer County Department of Health
& Environment, and community groups in Larimer, Weld and nearby counties to best access these resources
for community benefit. Expected proposal is for $500K over a 3-year implementation period.
quality and to promote monitoring partnerships that:
Leverage existing air quality monitoring expertise;
Expand use of community monitoring advisory groups and other approaches that give the community
a voice in the monitoring of their air quality; and
Build a foundation of trusting relationships and enhanced understanding from which sustainable
solutions to community air pollution problems can be found.
Discussions to date have identified two common community exposure concerns: air toxics and ground level
ozone (O3), including education and outreach efforts would focus broadly on both air quality concerns.
Expected deliverables of this project would include: 1) deployment of air toxics monitoring equipment in
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underserved communities, 2) new partnerships and community involvement in air monitoring, 3) educational
materials and public art focused on the environmental history of northern Colorado, air resources concerns,
and equitable solutions.
Preliminary discussion with tentative community partners included representatives from:
City of Fort Collins, Air Quality Advisory Board
Larimer County Environmental Science Advisory Board
The League of Women Voters of Larimer County
Fuerza Latina
Larimer Alliance
Physicians for Social Responsibility Colorado
Earthworks Colorado
League of Oil and Gas Impacted Coloradans (LOGIC)
Sierra Club - Poudre Canyon Group
Fort Collins Partners in Climate Action (PiCA)
Next Steps
Staff will continue to work with regional local government partners and community partners to prepare an
application for consideration. The deadline for and application is March 25, 2022, and the expected request
will be near $500K for a 3-year implantation period. If awarded, this would come before Council for
appropriation, and is expected to include a sub-contract agreement with CSU to perform the bulk for the
monitoring work. Ongoing implementation is also expected to be informed by a joint City/County air quality
monitoring advisory group, which is anticipated to include representatives from the community organizations
identified above in addition to other regional community representatives.