The Initiatives Oversight Committee is responsible for establishing and overseeing the work of forums that develop policies and programs to improve and protect our air quality.
IOC forums are:
The Air Pollution Prevention Forum (AP2)
The Air Pollution Prevention Forum is tasked with developing energy conservation initiatives and programs to expand the use of renewable energy sources. They are working to find, and encourage use of, energy sources that minimize air pollution.
The Economic Analysis Forum (EAF)
This Forum assists with studies to evaluate the economic effects of air quality programs being developed by the WRAP to diminish haze throughout the West.
Sources In and Near Class 1 Areas Forum (Class 1)
This Forum is looking at pollution sources in and near federally mandated Class 1 areas to determine their impact on visibility in those areas. The group also will address mitigation and outreach options.
The Mobile Sources Forum (MSF)
This Forum addresses the impact of motor vehicles and other mobile sources of pollution. For example, the Forum developed a plan presented to the WRAP, suggesting a revision of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules regarding the production of low-sulfur fuel by small refineries. The Forum also recommended reforms for off-road emissions and diesel fuel.
The Technical Oversight Committee’s tasks are to identify and manage technical issues and to establish and oversee the work of forums and work groups that are developing and analyzing, scientific information related to air quality planning in the West.
TOC forums and work groups include:
The Air Quality Modeling Forum (AQMF)
This Forum identifies, evaluates the performance of, and applies mathematical air quality models, which can be used to quantify the benefits of various air quality programs for reducing haze in the western United States.
The Ambient Monitoring and Reporting Forum (AMRF)
This Forum oversees the collection, use, and reporting of ambient air quality and meteorological monitoring data as needed to further the WRAP’s overall goals.
The Emissions Forum (EF)
This Forum is developing the first comprehensive inventory of haze-causing air emissions in the West, including a comprehensive emissions tracking and forecasting system. The forum also monitors trends in actual emissions and forecasts emissions reductions anticipated from current regulations and alternative control strategies.
Attribution of Haze Work Group (AoH)
This Work Group is preparing guidance for states and tribes regarding both the types of pollution emitters and the regions in which pollutants contribute to visibility impairment in national parks and other Class 1 wilderness areas. Three state and three tribal representatives form the work group along with all members of the Technical Oversight Committee and one representative each from the Initiatives Oversight Committee, the technical and joint forums and the Tribal Data Development Work Group.
The Tribal Data Development Work Group (TDDWG)
This Work Group is identifying gaps in air quality data for tribal lands and working with tribes to collect that data. While some tribes have adequate staff and equipment for such an undertaking, many lack the manpower and technical resources to accomplish the work on their own. This Work Group is providing help by both enhancing the tribes’ ability to collect the necessary data and establishing an organized way to standardize and catalogue the information for subsequent analysis.
Joint Technical and Policy Forums
Joint Forums address both technical issues and policy. Both the TOC and the IOC have oversight.
The Dust Emissions Joint Forum (DEJF)
This Forum is seeking first to improve the methods for estimating dust emissions and their inputs in air quality models. The Forum also is examining the extent of dust impacts and strategies to reduce dust emissions.
The Fire Emissions Joint Forum (FEJF)
The Grand Canyon Commission confirmed that forest fires contribute significantly to visibility problems and that the use of prescribed fire is expected to increase as a forest management tool. The Fire Emissions Joint Forum is developing measures to reduce the effects of prescribed fires and is examining emissions from all kinds of fire, whether ignited naturally or by humans. The Forum is considering public health and nuisance effects as well as visibility impacts. It will develop a tracking system for fire emissions and management techniques to minimize emissions. This Forum is working to coordinate with and gain the full cooperation of federal, tribal, state, and local agencies as well as private landowners, forest managers, and the agriculture community.
The Stationary Sources Joint Forum (SSJF)
The Stationary Sources Joint Forum, formerly the Market Trading Forum, developed the details of an emissions trading program to achieve cost-effective reductions from industrial sources of sulfur dioxide. The Forum first set emission milestones for sulfur dioxide between now and 2018 and then designed a trading program to be triggered if these emission targets are exceeded. The Forum is now examining other industrial source emissions, such as oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, and is assisting WRAP members in compliance with the stationary source provisions of the regional haze rule.
Other Committees/Forums
Air Managers’ Committee (AMC)
This Committee provides a venue for tribal and state air managers to deal with regulatory issues they face related to the WRAP process. The group, joined by air managers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and federal land management agencies, also aids communication linkages between the air managers and the other technical and policy forums.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee facilitates the exchange of information among the WRAP Committees and Forums. The Committee also is charged with developing materials to help the general public understand the WRAP process and participate in its decision-making. A primary means of communication is through this Web site.
Planning Group
This group helps to provide coordination among the IOC, TOC, Air Managers Committee, and Communications Committee, whose co-chairs sit on the group. Among its duties are: administrative oversight and budget coordination as well as coordination to prevent duplication among forums.
*All of the above groups are formally recognized by the WRAP. Additional ad-hoc, task-specific work groups may be formed within a forum or a committee to work on shorter-term assignments.
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