RECITALS:

Population growth and development is occurring at an unprecedented pace in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. The population in Western Colorado is expected to double by the year 2030.

As a result of that growth, air quality in Colorado will deteriorate.

Increased air pollution results directly from increases in population, traffic and growth and development. The vehicles driven by that increasing population coupled with the growth in housing, construction and industry have resulted in increased air pollutants, many of which are precursors to ozone pollution.

Air pollution in general but especially ozone contributes to the formation of smog. Smog poses health threats to our communities, contributes to the loss of scenic vistas and poses threats to economic our well-being. Air pollution may lead to the imposition of burdensome federal regulations, economic sanctions, loss of business opportunities and a lessening of our high quality of life.

Colorado cities and counties impacted by rapid growth are unable to independently act under the current regulatory framework to reduce air pollution. That fact coupled with the fact that there is no ozone air monitoring currently being performed in Western Colorado makes the need for obtaining baseline ozone monitoring data essential.

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission has the authority to act on air pollution problems, to be proactive, rather than reactive and accordingly the City Council of the City of Grand Junction urgently requests that the State take immediate steps, in cooperation with the City, Mesa County and other partners, to begin monitoring ozone concentrations and to further assess the risks of increasing air pollution.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Grand Junction City Council requests that the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission require the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division to establish an air monitoring station network in Western Colorado. The air monitoring should include ozone and other pollutants. The essential purposes of the monitoring will be to obtain qualitative and quantitative emissions data related to traffic and population growth and as applicable to develop data regarding the emissions from energy development as well as other industrial and other unique area sources within the region.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Grand Junction supports the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission’s efforts to proactively address air pollution problems throughout the state of Colorado and specifically requests the Commission by and through the Division actively monitor air quality, specifically ozone, in the Grand Valley and North Fork – Uncompahgre Valley Airshed.

The City Council finds that air pollution and the lack of monitoring in the Grand Valley is so significant a problem that it would welcome and encourage the State and other interested parties to form partnerships, alliances and coalitions to develop means and methods to fund, place, operate and maintain air quality testing equipment in the airshed as soon as possible.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS 21^st day of March 2007.

APPROVED:

/s/ James J. Doody        

James J. Doody

President of the Council

ATTEST:

/s/ Stephanie Tuin        

Stephanie Tuin

City Clerk, City of Grand Junction