A Policy that Worked!

One of the ongoing committee meetings that I have attended during my internship is held weekly at the Arizona Department of Air Quality (ADEQ) and involves a dust control policy, Rule 310-316. This policy establishes standards for dust output and mitigation of dust on construction sites and within aggregate mining facilities. Members of the committee include governmental officials, industry members and representatives from several citizen groups. The committee was original formed to formulate the policy and despite the fact that the Rule has been implemented, the committee has continued to meet to monitor results. Rule 310-316 took years to write and implement and is among the most stringent in the country.

The following are just a few of the measures that ARPA members are required to employ to reduce dust emissions at their aggregate mining facilities:

• Operations and Maintenance plans are required for all air control equipment and monitoring devices.
• Facilities must conduct moisture testing two times a day to ensure 4% moisture content on all processed materials.
• Emission controls also extend to truck loading areas.
• Dust emissions can not extend beyond property lines and operators must shut down during high wind events.
• Operators must control traffic patterns at the facility on paved surfaces and internal and external roads must be cleaned regularly.
• Aggregate mining facilities must employ a Dust Control Technician on site, and the Technician must attend training and be certified through ADEQ.

Since Rule 310-316 has been implemented, dust emissions have been dramatically reduced. Proving that, in this case at least, changes to Public Policy do work.