Notice of Public Consultation Meeting
Proposed Rule 314 – Fees for Architectural Coatings

Purpose of the Public Consultation Meeting

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has scheduled a public consultation meeting to present and solicit information and comments from the public regarding Proposed Rule 314 – Fees for Architectural Coatings.  The proposed rule is tentatively scheduled for consideration for adoption by the AQMD Governing Board at a public hearing June 6, 2008.

Air Quality Objective

The objective of Proposed Rule 314 is to equitably assess and collect fees to recover the cost of implementing Rule 1113, as authorized by California Health and Safety Code.  Although the proposed rule does not specifically limit the emissions of air contaminants, the proposed fee structure is intended to promote the manufacturing, marketing and use of lower VOC coatings.

Summary of Proposed Rules

Proposed Rule 314 can be summarized as follows:

• Fee schedule for recovery of AQMD costs to implement the program regulating architectural coatings manufactured, supplied, sold, or offered for sale for use within the AQMD.  The fees are to be assessed to the manufacturers of these coatings. 
• Provide staff with architectural coating quantity and emissions information for planning, compliance, and rule development.  The rule will require annual reporting of such information.
• In addition, amendments are proposed since the rule was noticed for public hearing on May 2, 2008, to include a requirement for architectural coatings manufacturers to provide a list to the AQMD of their national distributors located in the U.S.; an exemption from fees for architectural coatings containing 5 grams or less of VOC per liter of material, and other language clarifying the intent of the proposal.

California Environmental Quality Act

AQMD Staff is reviewing the proposed rules pursuant to AQMD Rule 110 and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) §15273 – Statutory Exemption for Rates, Tolls, Fares and Charges, and will prepare any appropriate CEQA document based on the initial evaluation.

Supporting Documents

Copies of Proposed Rule 314 and the Final Staff Report are available on the AQMD website at http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/proposed.html.  Copies may be obtained from:

Submission of Documents

The public is requested to send documents, studies, data or comments relevant to Proposed Rule 314 by May 27, 2008 to:

Comments, questions or suggestions regarding the CEQA analysis should be directed to:

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