-United States
EnviToMrnenwl'Protection
Agency
Office of Transportation
and Land Use Policy
Washington DC 20460
EPA-400/9-78-010
November 1978
Air
vvEPA
Bicycle Strategies to
Reduce Air Pollution
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Bicycle Strategies To Reduce Transportation
Air Pollution As Part Of The State Implementation Plans
I. Introduction
Bicycling, as a nonpolluting mode of transportation, should be
encouraged in urban areas with air pollution levels that exceed the
air quality health standards caused by heavy automobile travel.
Every community should consider the opportunity to promote bicycling,
a very popular mode for transportation, exercise, sport and recrea-
tion. The following: (1) summarizes the requirements and opportuni-
ties under the Clean Air Act to promote bicycling; (2) suggests
strategies to increase bicycle use; (3) delineates the advantages of
a bicycle program; (4) describes who bicycles and where; (5) lists
advantages to society with a greater bicycling public; (6) lists changes
which would encourage more people to bicycle and (7) lists the Regions,
States, urbanized areas, and certified agencies responsible for develop-
ing and implementing strategies in the transportation component of their
SIPs.
II. Clean Air Act Requirements
The Clean Air Act as amended 1977 requires States to submit revised
State Implementation Plans (SIP) by January 1, 1979, for any areas in
which the national ambient air quality standards have not been attained.
The SIPs must provide for attainment of the standards no later than
December 31, 1982. If a State demonstrates that attainment of the
standards for carbon monoxide and photochemical oxidants is not possible
by 1982, an extension of the attainment deadline up to December 31, 1987,
is possible. The SIPs could include a variety of strategies ranging
from controlling emissions from power plants, to inspection and mainte-
nance, to carpooling or reducing automobile travel and improving mass
transit.
In most major urbanized areas the revised SIP's will require strat-
egies designed to reduce emissions from transportation-related sources.
Structural and operational changes in the transportation system to
reduce automobile travel and to encourage cleaner forms of transportation
will be necessary. A variety of alternative control measures will be
used in the transportation control plan of the SIP.
EPA has published—and will be issuing—a number of information
documents in 1978 for reasonably available transportation control mea-
sures in accordance with Section 108(f) of the Clean Air Act. The
(18) measures include such things as: on-street parking controls, park
and ride and fringe parking lots, carpools, improved public transit,
etc. Section 108(f) specifically identifies the following three mea-
sures related to bicycling:
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1. programs to limit portions of road surfaces or certain sections of
'the metropolitan area to the use of nonmotorized vehicles or pedes-
trian use, both as to time and place;
2. provisions for employer participation in programs to encourage car-
pooling, vanpooling, mass transit, bicycling, and walking;
3. programs for secure bicycle storage facilities and other facilities,
including bicycle lanes, for the convenience and protection of bi-
cyclists, in both public and private areas.
A detailed bicycle information document will be available in 1979.
Transportation/air quality planning and implementation required by
the Clean Air Act will be integrated by the state and local governments
under guidance from EPA, Department of Transportation (DOT) Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) in existing planning and programming procedures.
Designated lead planning organizations (see contact list in back) are
responsible for insuring the integration of EPA's transportation require-
ments with DOT's 3-C process: the Continuing, Comprehensive transporta-
tion planning process carried on Cooperatively by States and local com-
munities. Joint planning guidelines have been issued by EPA and DOT.
Now is the time for bicycle activists,bicycle planners, transportation
planners and transportation engineers, to get bicycle programs into the
planning process.
III. Bicycle Program Plans
Bicycle plans included as part of State Implementation Plans to
reduce air pollution should be comprehensive. One short bike path is
not going to divert a great deal of people out of their cars onto bicycles.
A comprehensive approach is needed, including an institutional framework,
a comprehensive network of bike routes, bicycle parking facilities,
educational programs and enforcement programs.
The whole community should be involved, including police, trans-
portation departments, citizens, schools, the press, etc. The approaches
will vary from community to community. Here is a preliminary list of
action items to be undertaken in a comprehensive bicycle program and
some alternative approaches.
1. Establish an institutional framework giving bicycling high priority.
o
Establish a bicycle coordinator's office in the Governor's
office or the State Department of Transportation to serve
as the central point for creating a better physical and
institutional environment for bicycling.
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"Develop adequate funding sources to carry out programs
fostering bicycling and earmark the funds necessary.
°Establish ongoing programs to encourage bicycling.
2. Develop a comprehensive network of safe bicycle routes. Some of
the elements of this comprehensive system could include:
""Elimination of obstacles and bottlenecks which hinder safe
and direct bicycle access in urban and suburban areas.
°Bikeways along abandoned railroad rights-of-way.
°Bikeways along sewer interceptor lines.
°Bikeways along stream beds and through recreational parks
and open space.
°A computer map which shows the existing bikeways and
interconnecting lightly traveled streets.
"Bicycle streets closed to traffic.
°Bike lanes on existing streets.
"Requiring all newly constructed roads and bridges to have
enough space in the right-of-way for cyclists to travel
safely.
3. Install adequate bicycle parking facilities at office buildings,
schools, stores, churches, recreation facilities, bus stops, and
metro stations as well as clean-up and changing facilities at
employment centers. (In some cities such as Polo Alto, California,
bicycle parking is a requirement in the zoning ordinance).
°Bike lockers that completely enclose the bicycle offer the
best protection; cost: approximately $150 per bicycle.
"Bicycle racks offer less protection and need surveillance.
However, racks are available which completely secure both
wheels and only require the cyclist to carry a lock.
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4. Develop bicycle education programs for adults and children. Include
the following:
°Proficiency in riding in traffic.
°Rules of the road.
°Techniques for bicycle maintenance.
°What to wear, how to carry materials, clothes, etc.
5. Develop a comprehensive enforcement program. Effective enforcement
not only means keeping autos out of bike lanes but giving tickets
to bicyclists who do not follow the rules of the road. Successful
enforcement programs like in Santa Barbara, California involve the
whole community including police, schools, media and the judiciary.
IV. Reasons for a Bicycle Program
Although a comprehensive bicycle program is sensible, it needs to
be justified for needed commitment, funds, and manpower. The expected
•benefits from a bicycle program are many. The following facts will
justify a comprehensive bicycle transportation program. The develop-
ment of bicycling plans and programs should be encouraged since bicycl-
ing is:
°Air Pollution Free. The majority of Americans live in areas
which do not meet national air quality standards for protec-
ting the public health and welfare. Much of the pollution,
especially in urban areas is caused by the automobile. The
pollutants may ca'use serious long-term health risks primarily
lung and respiratory damage. It is estimated that a safe and
widespread bicycle system has the potential of decreasing auto-
mobile usage by at least one percent. This can be achieved
by diverting 12-25 percent of urban work trips of less than
four miles from auto commuting to bicycle commuting. There
would be additional savings from bicycle trips for recreation,
shopping or trips greater than four miles long. However, the
savings will differ from city to city depending upon the exten-
siveness of the bicycle programs.
"Noise Free. Traffic also causes noise pollution. In many
urban areas noise disturbs human activity, and can be physio-
logically and psychologically damaging. It would be more
pleasant if only a swish of hundreds of bicycles was heard
at intersections.
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o
'Convenient. The bicycle is an alternative to the automobile,
especially for short trips four miles or less. It can also
be used for longer trips using two modes of travel like bike/
bus, bike/car, bike/train. Forty percent of all urban work
trips are four miles or less, a distance easily traveled by
bicycle.
Energy efficient. Transportation consumes 25 percent of the
total energy budget with the automobile consuming 55 percent
using bicycles instead of automobiles can help reduce this
consumption. The bicycle ranks number one in energy efficiency.
Human transport (bicycling and walking) are 10-40 times as
efficient as motorized transport. Two and one-half billion
gallons of gasoline could be saved each year if trips less than
two miles were taken by bike.
"Healthy exercise and pleasurable recreation. Cycling has been
referred to as the "perfect exercise." Mecfical literature
reports the physical and psychological benefits (feeling of
well being) of bicycle exercise and training. Lack of regular
vigorous exercise is a major contributor to cardiovascular
disease, a major killer in industrial countries. The benefits
are great; cycling enhances the cardiovascular status, lowers
blood pressure, helps control body weight, etc. Bicycling is
a wonderful recreation sport for the family, the individual or
with groups of people.
"Economical. The maximum annual cost for maintaining a bicycle
is $50, versus approximately $1,200 on the average for opera-
ting an automobile. Buying a new car often costs over $5,000
versus $50 to $400 for a bicycle. Bikeways are less expensive
than highways. A mile of interstate highway can cost $6.3
million in urban areas and $1.4 million in rural areas. In
comparsion, a mile of separated bikeway eight-foot wide, costs
about $4QpOOfc©. Lesser road improvements such as widening the
curb lane by a few feet or providing a smooth shoulder suitable
for cycling are not very expensive.
"Less wasteful. One hundred bicycles can be made from the
materials needed for one automobile. Bikeways can possibly
be made from fly ash and incinerator ash. Thirty million
tons of fly ash and five million tons of incinerator ash are
discarded from utilities and incinerators each year.
"Space conserving. There would be reduced need for on-street
parking and additional highway lanes. Eight bicycles can be
parked in the same space as one automobile. However, when
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counting the total maneuvering area in a parking lot, the
figure goes up to 15-20. Bicycling does not cause as much
congestion, For example, 1.4 million bicycles in an urban
area, such as Washington, D.C., would cause much less con-
gestion than the congestion caused by the 1.4 million autos.
"Independent. Bicycling provides door-to-door service.
"Timesaver. During peak period urban traffic the bicycle
travels at the same speed as the average car, 13 mph.
Inner city trips are faster by bicycle than by taxi in
New York, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. In many commuter races
the bicycle has ranked among the highest in speed.
V. Who Bicycles and Where
°Bicycling is a serious, effective and useful form of trans-
portation in many countries, where bicycling can account
for up to 43 percent of all trips.
°0ne out of every tw Americans, 100 million, own and ride a
bicycle. Since 1S70, more bicycles than automobiles have
been sold in tne U.S. (83.5 million to 79.8 million). Adults
buy 50 percent of the bicycles sold.
"Bicycles are ridden by diverse groups of people: children,
recreational buffs, racers, college students. Government
officials, Congressmen, secretaries, industrial workers,
factory workers, and others.
°The bicycle is used for a variety of utility trips to stores,
schools, recreational centers, and employment centers.
o
o
A recent study by the Metropolitan Washington Council of
Governments, "Washington Regional BikewayL Study," found
that five percent of the total working population, 70,000
people, commute to work by bicycle on at least an occassional
basis.
A survey for the District of Columbia in June 1975 revealed
that 60 percent of the total bicycling activity was for pur-
poseful trips—a trip with a specific destination made for a
reason other than just enjoyment. The District of Columbia
study predicted that purposeful bicycle travel could increase
250 percent in the next five to 10 years given proper encour-
agement through improved facilities.
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Mho to Contact
After you've justified and identified the elements necessary for
a comprehensive bicycle program, make sure your State includes bicycle
programs and strategies in the transportation component of their State
Air Quality Implementation Plan (SIP).
The following is a list of Regions, States, urbanized areas and
certified lead agencies which will be responsible for coming up with
strategies to reduce transportation related pollution.
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New England - Contact - Barbara Ikalainen 617 223-5630
EPA; Region I; Room 2303; J.F. Kennedy Building; Boston, Mass. 02203
State
Connecticut
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Urban Area
Bridgeport
Hartford
New Haven
Boston
Lawrence-Haverhi11
Springfield-Chicopee-
Holyhoke
Worcester
Suburbs of Providence-
Pawtucket-Warwick
Suburbs of Lawrence-
Haverhi 11
Provi dence-Pawtucket-
Warwick
Certified Lead Agency
Greater Bridgeport
Regional Planning Agency
(208)
Capitol Regional Council
of Governments (208)(MPO)
(A-95)
Regional Planning Agency
of South Central Connecti-
cut (208)(MPO)
Joint Regional Transporta-
tion Committee (MPO)
Transportation Planning
Advisory Group
Transportation Planning
Advisory Group
(See Boston)
Rhode Island Planning
Council with State
Department of Environ-
mental Management, State
Department of Transporta-
tion, and Office of State
Planning (MPO)
(See Massachusetts)
Rhode Island Planning
Council (MPO)
*This is a preliminary list. The agencies have not been officially
designated as of October 1978. After each agency listed is the area-
wide agency responsibilities:
MPO - Metropolitan Planning Organization;
208 - Water quality planning;
105 - Air pollution control agencies;
106 - Interstate air quality agencies or commissions;
A-95 - Agency responsible for evaluation, review and coordination of
Federal and federally assisted programs and projects.
8
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Northeast - Contact - Lou Heckman 212 264-9800
EPA; Region II; Room 1005; 26 Federal Plaza; New York, New York 10007
State
New Jersey
New York
Urban Area
Trenton
Allentown-Bethlehem
Easton, Pa. area
New York, N.Y. area
Philadelphia, Pa
area
Wilmington, Del.
area
Albany-Schnectady-
Troy
Buffalo-Niagara
Falls
New York
Rochester
Syracuse
Certified Lead Agency
Delaware Valley Regional
Planning Commission (208)
(MPO)(A-95)
(See Pennsylvania)
(See Pennsylvania)
(See New York)
Delaware Valley Regional
Planning Commission (208)
(MPO)(A-95)
(See Delaware)
Capital District Trans-
portation Committee (MPO)
Niagara Frontier Committee
(MPO)
Tristate Regional Planning
Commission (MPO)(208)(A-95)
Tennessee Transportation
Council Policy Committee
(MPO)
Syracuse Metropolitan
Study Policy Committee
(MPO)
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East Central - Contacts - Peter Cosier 215 597-8179
Bill Belanger 215 597-8188
EPA; Region III; Sixth and Walnut Streets; Philadelphia, Pa. 19106
State Urban Area Certified Lead Agency
Delaware
District of
Columbia
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Wilmington
Washington, D.C.
Metropolitan area
including Md. and
Va. suburbs
Baltimore
Suburbs to Washing-
ton, D.C.
Allentown-Bethlehem-
Easton
Harrisburg
Philadelphia
Pittsburg
Wilmington Metropolitan
Area Planning Coordina-
ting Council (MPOMA-95)
Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments
(208)(MPO)(A-95)((105 or
106)
Baltimore Regional Plan-
ning Council (MPO)(A-95)
Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments
(208)(MPO)(A-95)(105 or
106)
Joint Planning Commission
for Lehigh Northampton
Counties with Lehigh
Valley Transportation
Study Coordinating Com-
mittee (MPO)(A-95)
Tricounty Regional Plan-
ning Commission with
Harrisburg Area Study
Coordinating Committee
(MPO)(A-95)
Delaware Valley Regional
Planning Commission (208)
(MPO)(A-95)
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Regional Planning Commis-
sion (MPO)(A-95)
10
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cont . .
State
Virginia
Urban Area
Scranton
Wilkes-Barre
Trenton, N.J. area
Newsport News-Hampton
Norfolk-Portsmouth
Richmond
Washington, D.C.
suburbs
Certified Lead Agency
Lackawanna County Plan-
ning Commission with
Lackawanna-Luzerne Trans-
portation Study Coordina-
ting Committee (A-95)
Luzerne County Planning
Commission, etc. (See
Scranton)
(See New Jersey)
Peninsula Area Trans-
portation Policy Com-
mittee (MPO)
Southeastern Va. Planning
District Commission (MPO)
(A-95)
Richmond Area Transporta-
tion Policy Committee
(MPO)
Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments
(208)(MPO)(A-95)(105 or
106)
11
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Southeast - Contact - Ron McHenry FTS 8-257-3288
404-881-3288
EPA; Region IV; 245 Court!and Street, NE; Atlanta, Ga. 30308
State
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Urban Area
Birmingham
Mobile
Suburbs of
Columbus, Georgia
Ft. Lauderdale-Holly-
wood
Jacksonville
Miami
Orlando
St. Peterburg/Tampa
West Palm Beach
Atlanta
Columbus
Chattanogga, Tenn
suburbs
Certified Lead Agency
Birmingham Regional Plan-
ning Commission (208)(MPO)
(A-95)
South Alabama Regional
Planning Commission (208)
(MPO)(A-95)
(See Georgia)
Broward County Area Plan-
ning Council (208)(MPO)
(A-95)
Jacksonville Area Plan-
ning Board (MPO)
Metropolitan Dade County
Planning Department (MPO)
(A-95)
East Central Florida
Regional Planning Council
(208)(MPO)(A-95)
Hillsborough County
Environmental Protection
Commission
Palm Beach County Area
Planning Board (MPO)
Atlanta Regional Commis-
sion (208)(MPO)(A-95)
No organization certified
by governor
(See Tennessee)
12
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cont . . .
State
Kentucky
/
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Urban Area
Louisville
Suburbs of Memphis,
Tennessee
Charlotte
Charleston
West Virginia
Columbia
Chattanooga
Memphis
Nashvi11e/Davi dson
Charleston, S.C.
suburbs
Certified Lead Agency
Kentuckian Planning and
Development Agency (MPO,
A-95, 208)
(See Tennessee)
Charlotte-Meckenburg
Transportation Advisory
Committee (MPO)
Berkeley-Charleston-
Dorchester Council of
Governments assisted by
the Regional Planning
Council (208)(MPO)(A-95)
Central Midlands Regional
and Development Council
(MPO)
Chattanooga Metropolitan
Planning Commission (MPO)
Memphis Metropolitan Plan-
ning Commission
Nashville Metropolitan
Planning Commission
(See South Carolina)
13
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Great Lakes - Contacts - Michael Treitman 321 353-2205
Michelle Rockawich 321 353-2205
EPA; Region V; 230 S. Dearborn; Chicago, Illinois 60604
State
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Urban Area
Aurora-Elgin
Chicago
Peoria
Rockford
Moline, Illinois
and Davenport,
Illinois suburbs
St. Louis, Mo.
suburbs
Indianapolis
Fort Wayne
South Bend
Chicago, Illinois
suburbs
Louisville, Ky.
suburbs
Detroit
Certified Lead Agency
(Same as Chicago)
Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency
Tri-county Regional Plan-
ning Commission (MPO)
(A-95)
Rockford Area Transporta-
tion Study Policy Com-
mittee (MPO)
Bi-state Metropolitan
Planning Commission (A-95)
(See Missouri)
Indiana Department of
Metropolitan Development
(MPO)
Northeastern Indiana
Regional Coordinating
Council (MPO)(A-95)
Michigan Area Council of
Governments (208)(MPO)
(A-95)
(See Chicago)
(See Kentucky)
Southeastern Michigan
Council of Governments
(208)(MPO)(A-95)
14
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cont . .
State
Minnesota
Ohio
Urban Area
Flint
Grand Rapids
Lansing
South Bend, Ind,
suburbs
Toledo, Ind.
suburbs
Minneapolis-
St. Paul
Akron
Dayton
Canton
Cincinnati
Columbus
Toledo
Cleveland
Certified Lead Agency
Genesse-Labor-Shiawassi
Region V Regional Plan-
ning Council (208)(MPO)
West Michigan Regional
Planning Council (208)
(MPO)(A-95)
Tri-county Regional Plan-
ning Council (208)(MPO)
(A-95)
(See Indiana)
(See Indiana)
Metropolitan Council of
Twin Cities Area (MPO)
(A-95)
Akron Metropolitan Area
Transportation Policy
Study (MPO)
Miami Valley Regional
Planning Council, Trans-
portation Control Commis-
sion (208)(A-95)
Stark County Area Trans-
portation Policy Study
OKI Regional Planning
Council (MPO)
Mid-Ohio Regional Plan-
ning Commission (MPO)
(A-95)
Toledo Metropolitan Area
Council of Governments
(208)(MPO)(A-95)
Northeast Ohio Areawide
Coordinating Agency (MPO,
208, A-95)
15
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cont...
State
Wisconsin
Urban Area
Youngstown-Warren
Madison
Milwaukee
Certified Lead Agency
Eastgate Development and
Transportation Agency
(208)(MPO)(A-95)
Dane County Regional
Planning Council (208)
(MPO)(A-95)
Southeastern Wisconsin
Regional Planning Commis-
sion (MPOMA-95)
16
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South Central - Contacts - Ragan Broyles 214 767-2742
FTS-729-2742
EPA; Region VI; 1201 Elm Street; Dallas, Texas 75270
State
Arkansas
Louisiana
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Texas
Urban Area
Little Rock/North
Little Rock
New Orleans
Baton Rouge
Shreveport
Albuquerque
Oklahoma City
Tulsa
Austin
Corpus Christi
Dallas/Forth Worth
El Paso
Houston/Galveston
San Antonio
Certified Lead Agency
Arkansas Department of
Pollution Control and
Ecology
Louisiana Air Control
Commission, with Office
of Highways, Louisiana
Department of Transporta-
tion and Development
(Same as above)
(Same as above)
Middle Rio Grande Council
of Governments (MPO)(A-95)
Oklahoma State Department
of Health
(Same as above)
No organization certified
by governor
No organization certified
by governor
North Central Texas
Council of Governments
(MPO)
No organization certified
by governor
Houston-Galveston Area
Council (MPO)
Steering Committee of the
San Antonio-Bexar County
Urban Transportation Study
Committee (MPO)
17
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Central - Contact - Thomas D. Gillard FTS 8-758-3791
816-374-3791
EPA; Region VII; Room 249; 1735 Baltimore Avenue; Kansas City, MO 64108
State
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Nebraska
Urban Area
Des Moines
Davenport/Moline/
Rock Island
Omaha., Neb. suburbs
Wichita
Kansas City and
Kansas City, MO.
suburbs
Kansas City
St. Louis
Omaha
Certified Lead Agency
Central Iowa Regional
Association of local
Governments
(A-95)(208)(MPO)
Bi-state Metropolitan
Planning Commission (A-95)
(See Nebraska)
No organization certified
by governor
Mid-America Regional
Council (208)(MPO)(A-95)
(Same as above)
East-west Gateway Coordina-
ting Council (208)(MPO)(A-95)
Omaha Metropolitan Area
Planning Agency (MPO)(A-95)
18
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Rockies - Contact - Barry Levene FTS 8-327-3711
303 837-3711
EPA; Region VIII; Suite 900; 1960 Lincoln Street; Denver, CO. 80203
State
Colorado
Urban Area
Colorado Springs
Utah
Denver
Salt Lake City
Certified Lead Agency
Pikes Peak Area Council
of Governments (MPO)
(A-95)
Denver Regional Council
of Governments (208)
(MPO)(A-95)
Wasatch Front Regional
Council (MPO)(A-95)
19
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Southwest - Contacts - Immants Kresse 415 556-2003
Steve Drew 415 556-6925
EPA; Region IX; 215 Fremont Street; San Francisco, CA 94105
State
Arizona
California
Nevada
Urban Area
Phoenix
Tuscon
Fresno
Los Angeles/
Long Beach/
San Bernadino
Riverside
Sacramento
San Diego
San Francisco-
Oakland
San Jose
Oxnard/Ventura/
Thousand Oaks
Las Vegas
Certified Lead Agency
Maricopa Association
of Governments (MPO)
(A-95)
PIMA Association of
Governments
(MPO)(A-95)(208)
Fresno County Air
Pollution Board 105/106
Southern California
Association of Govern-
ments (MPO, A-95, 208)
Sacramento Regional Area
Planning Commission
San Diego County Compre-
hensive Planning organi-
zation
Association of Bay area
Governments
Association of Bay Area
Governments
Southern California
Association of Govern-
ments
Clark County Board of
Commissioners
20
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Northwest - Contact - Laurie Smith (202) 442-1226
FTS 8-399-1226
EPA; Region X; 1200 6th Avenue; Seattle, Washington 98101
State
Oregon
Washington
Urban Area
Portland
Seattle-Everett
Spokane
Tocoma
Suburbs of Portland,
Oregon
Certified Lead Agency
Columbia Region Associa-
tion of Governments,
Clark County Regional
Planning Council 208,
A-95, MPO
Puget Sound Air Pollution
Control Agency
Spokane Regional Planning
Conference' (MPO)(A-95)
Same as Seattle
State of Oregon Depart-
ment of Environmental
Quality
By Nina Dougherty Rowe
21
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