REPORT FOR CONSULTATION ON THE

    METROPOLITAN HOUSTON-GALVESTON

 INTRASTATE AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGION

                (TEXAS)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
         Public Health Service
     Dtection and Environmental Health Service

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            REPORT FOR CONSULTATION ON THE

                   HOUSTON-GAVELSTON

         INTRASTATE AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGION

                        (TEXAS)
  U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
                Public Health Service
Consumer Protection and Environmental Health Service
     National Air Pollution Control Administration
                     October, 1969

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                          TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                 Page

SECTION I:  THE REGIONAL APPROACH TO AIR QUALITY CONTROL AND A
            FEDERAL PROPOSAL FOR THE HOUSTON-CALVESTON REGION

     Preface	      i

     The Regional Approach	     ii

          Introduction	„	     ii

          Criteria  for Determining Region Size	    iii

          Procedures for Designating Region Boundaries 	    vii

     The Federal Proposal 	     x



SECTION II:  ANALYSIS AND PROPOSAL FOR THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON
             METROPOLITAN INTRASTATE REGION BY THE TEXAS AIR
             CONTROL BOARD

     Evaluation of Engineering Factors	      1

          Introduction	      1

          Topography	      1

          Meteoro logy	      1

          Emission Inventory	      4

          Air Quality Analysis	      6

               Suspended Particulate Air Levels	,.     13
                            \
               Sulfur Oxide Levels	     14

               Carbon Monoxide Levels	     14

          Summary	     ^4

     Evaluation of Urban Factors	     18

          Introduction	     18

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               TABLE OF CONTENTS, (continued)






     Population	    18




     Industry	   18




     Regional Planning	    21




     Air Pollution Control Agencies.-	    21




The Proposed Region	,.. —    23




     Discussion of Proposal	    23




References	    27

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                     SECTION I
THE REGIONAL APPROACH TO AIR QUALITY CONTROL AND A




 FEDERAL PROPOSAL FOR THE HOUSTON-CALVES TON REGION

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                                PREFACE





     The Secretary, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, is




directed by the Clean Air Act, as amended, to designate "air quality




control regions" prior to the adoption by the State(s) of air quality




standards and plans for the implementation of the standards.  In




addition to listing the major factors to be considered in the develop-




ment of region boundaries, the Act stipulates that  the designation of




a region shall be preceded by consultation with appropriate State and




local authorities.




     The National Air Pollution Control Administration (NAPCA) recently




established a new policy by which States may propose to the Federal




Government boundaries for air quality control regions.  The Texas




Air Control Board is the first state agency to initiate proposals for




region boundaries under the new policy.  The Air Control Board, with




assistance from NAPCA, has conducted a study of the Houston-Galveston




metropolitan area, the results of which  are presented in the body of




this report.  The Region boundaries proposed in the report reflect




consideration of available and pertinent data; however, the boundaries




remain subject to revision suggested by  consultation between Federal,



 State,  and local authorities.  Formal designation will be withheld




pending the outcome of the meeting.  This report is intended to  serve




as the starting point for the consultation.

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ii

                            THE REGIONAL APPRC&CH

     Introduction

               "For the purpose of establishing ambient air
          quality standards pursuant to section 108,  and for
          administrative and other purposes, the Secretary,
          after consultation with appropriate State and local
          authorities,  shall, to the extent feasible,  within
          18 months after the date of enactment of the Air
          Quality Act of 1967 designate air quality control
          regions based on jurisdictional boundaries,  urban-
          industrial concentrations, and other factors including
          implementation of air quality standards.  The
          Secretary may from time to time thereafter,  as he
          determines necessary to protect the public health
          and -welfare and after consultation with appropriate
          State and local authorities, revise the designation
          of such regions and designate additional air quality
          control regions.  The Secretary shall immediately
          notify the Governor or Governors of the affected
          State or States of such designation."

                              Section 107(a), Air Quality Act of 1967
          Air Pollution,  because of its direct relationship to people and

     their activities,  is an urban problem.   Urban sprawls often cover

     thousands of square  miles;  they quite often include parts of more

     than one state and almost always are made up of several counties and

     an even greater number of cities.  Air pollution, therefore, also

     becomes a regional problem, and the collaboration of several govern-

     mental jurisdictions is prerequisite to the solution of the problem in

     any given area.  Air quality control regions called for in the above-

     quoted section of the Air Quality Act of 1967 are meant to define the

     geographical extent of air pollution problems in different urban areas

     and the combination of jurisdictions that must contribute to the

     solution in each.

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                                                                     ill






     The regional approach set up by the Air Quality Act is illustrated




in Figure 1.  The approach involves a series of steps to be taken by




Federal, State, and local governments, beginning with the designation




of regions, the publication of air quality criteria, and the publication




of information on available control techniques by the Federal Govern-




ment.  Following the completion of these three steps, the Governors




of the States affected by a region must file with the Secretary




within 90 days a letter of intent, indicating that the States will




adopt within 180 days ambient air quality standards for the pollutants




covered by the published criteria and control technology documents and




adopt within another 180 days plans for the implementation, maintenance,




and enforcement of those standards in the designated air quality control




regions.




     The new Federal legislation provides for a regional attack on air




pollution and, at the same time, allows latitude in the form which




regional efforts may take.  While the Secretary reserves approval




authority, the States involved in a designated region assume the




responsibility for developing standards and an implementation plan




which includes administrative procedures for abatement and control.




Criteria for Determining Regiori Size




     Several objectives are important in determining how large an




air quality control region should be.  Basically, these objectives




can be divided into three separate categories.  First, a region should




be self-contained with respect to air pollution sources and receptors.




In other words, a region should include most of the important sources




as well as most of the people and property affected by those sources.

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 HEW DESIGNATES
   AIR QUALITY
CONTROL REGIONS.
 HEW DEVELOPS AND
  PUBLISHES AIR
 QUALITY CRITERIA
BASED ON'SCIENTJFic
  EVIDENCE OF AIR
POLLUTION EFFECTS.
  HEW PREPARES
  AND PUBLISHES
   REPORTS ON
AVAILABLE CONTROL
   TECHNIQUES
STATES INDICATE
THEIR INTENT
TO SET STANDARDS.
(PUBLIC
HEARINGS)
STATES SET
AIR QUALITY
STANDARDS
FOR THE AIR
QUALITY CONTROL
REGIONS.
                                                                      I
                                       STATES ESTABLISH
                                       COMPREHENSIVE PLANS
FOR IMPLEMENTING
AIR QUALITY
STANDARDS.
                              STATES SUBMIT
                              STANDARDS FOR
                              HEW REVIEW.
                                                                I
                                      STATES SUBMIT
                                      IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                      FOR HEW REVIEW.
                                                                        STATES ACT TO CONTROL
                                                                        AIR POLLUTION IN ACCORDANCE
                                                                        WITH AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
                                                                        AND PLANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
              Figure 1 FLOW DIAGRAM FOR ACTION TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION ON A REGIONAL
                     BASIS,

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In this way, all the major elements of the regional problem will be




within one unified administrative jurisdiction.  Unfortunately, since




air pollutants can travel long distances, it is impractical if not




impossible to delineate regions which are completely self-contained.




The air over a region will usually have at least trace amounts of




pollutants from external sources.  During episodic conditions, such




contributions from external sources may even reach significant levels.




Conversely, air pollution generated within a region and transported




out of it can affect external receptors to some degree.  It would be




impractical and inefficient to make all air quality control regions




large enough to encompass these low-level effects.  The geographic




extent of trace effects overestimates the true problem area which




should be the focus of air pollution control efforts.  Thus, the first




objective, that a region be self-contained, becomes a question of




relative magnitude and frequency.  The dividing line between "important




influence" and "trace effect" will be a matter of judgment.  The




judgment should be based on estimates of the impact a source has upon




a region, and the level of pollution to which receptors are subjected.




In this respect, annual and seasonal data on pollutant emissions and




ambient air concentrations are better measures of relative influence




than short-term data on episodic conditions.




     The second general objective requires that region boundaries be




designed to meet not only present conditions but also future conditions.




In other words, the region should include areas where industrial and




residential expansion are likely to create air pollution problems in

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vi
     the foreseeable future, and provide a way of maintaining areas now
     favored by clean air.  This objective requires careful consideration
     of existing metropolitan development plans,  expected population growth,
     and projected industrial expansion.  Such considerations should result
     in the designation of regions which will contain the sources and receptors
     of regional air pollution for a number of years to come.  Of course,
     region boundaries need not be permanently fixed, once designated.
     Boundaries should be reviewed periodically and altered when changing
     conditions warrant readjustment.
          The third objective is that region boundaries should be compatible
     with and even foster unified and cooperative governmental administration
     of the air resource throughout the region.   Air pollution is a regional
     problem which often extends across several municipal, county, and even
     state boundaries.  Clearly, the collaboration of several governmental
     jurisdictions is prerequisite to the solution of the problem.  There-
     fore, the region should be delineated in a way which encourages
     regional cooperation among the various governmental bodies involved in
     air pollution control.  The pattern of cooperation among existing air
     pollution control programs is a relevant factor.  The existing
     boundaries of regional planning agencies or councils of government
     may also become an important consideration.   In general, administrative
     considerations dictate that governmental jurisdictions should not be
     divided.  Although it would be impractical to preserve State jurisdictions
     undivided, usually it is possible to preserve the unity of county
      governments by including or excluding them in their entirety.   Occasion-
      ally,  even this is impractical due to a county's large size, wide
      variation in level of development, or striking topographical features.

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                                                                    vii
     To the extent that any two of the above three objectives lead to




incompatible conclusions concerning region boundaries, the region must




represent a reasonable compromise.  A region should represent the best




way of satisfying the three objectives simultaneously.




Procedures for Designating Region Boundaries




     Figure 2 summarizes the procedure used by the National Air Pollution




Control Administration for designating air quality control regions




whose boundaries are proposed by the State.




     A preliminary delineation of the region is developed by bringing




together two essentially separate studies—the "Evaluation of Engineering




Factors1' and the "Evaluation of Urban Factors."




     The study of "Engineering Factors"  indicates the location of




pollution sources and the geographic extent of serious pollutant con-




centrations in the ambient air.  Pollution sources are located by an




inventory of emissions from automobiles, industrial activities, space




heating, waste disposal, and other pollution generators.  Pollution




concentrations in the ambient air are estimated from air quality




sampling data and from a theoretical diffusion model.  When it exists,




air quality sampling data is more reliable than the theoretical




diffusion model results since the data is directly recorded by pollution




measuring instruments.  Unfortunately, in many cases extensive air




quality sampling data is unavailable in  the rural areas surrounding




an urban complex.

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                                                                                                         H-
                                                                                                         H-
    STATE INDICATES DESIRE TO
    HAVE A REGION DESIGNATED
 STATE PREPARES REPORT PRO-
 POSING REGION BOUNDARIES
 (NAPCA ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE),
 CONSIDER ING SUCH FACTORS AS:


 ENGINEERING EVALUATION

• POLLUTANT EMISSIONS
• TOPOGRAPHY
» METEOROLOGY
« MEASURED AND ESTIMATED LEVELS
    OF AIR QUALITY


 URBAN FACTORS EVALUATION

a POPULATION
® INDUSTRIALIZATION
• EXISTING REGIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
• JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES
                                       CONSULTATION

                                       PARTICIPANTS:

                                       APPROPRIATE FEDERAL,
                                       STATE, AND LOCAL
                                       AUTHORITIES
NAPCA PR IN' -S REPORT FOR
CONSULTATION AND PUBLISHES
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE
OF PROPOSAL. REPORT MAILED TO
STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES
                                   NAPCA RECOMMENDS BOUNDARIES
                                   TO SECRETARY, DHEW
                                   SECRETARY, DHEW, FORMALLY
                                   DESIGNATES REGION AND GIVES
                                   NOTICE BY:

                                   • LETTER TO GOVERNOR
                                   • LETTER TO GOVERNOR'S
                                       OFFICIAL DESIGNEE
                                   • FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE
                                   • PRESSRELEASE
              Figure 2,, FLOW DIAGRAM FOR STATE-INITIATED AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGIONS.

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                                                                    ix
     The study of "Urban Factors" encompasses non-engineering


considerations.  It reviews existing governmental jurisdictions,


current air pollution control programs, present concentrations of


population and industry, and expected patterns of urban growth.


Other non-engineering factors are discussed when they are relevant.


As a whole, the study of urban factors indicates how large an air


quality control region must be in order to encompass expected growth


of pollution sources in the future.  It also considers which group


of governmental jurisdictions will most effectively administer a


strong regional air quality control region program.


     The conclusions of the engineering study are combined with the


results of the urban factors study to form the basis of an initial


proposal for an air quality control region.  As shown in Figure 2,


the proposal is then submitted to NAPCA for review and printing.


     The report is mailed to State and local authorities in


preparation for the consultation between  appropriate Federal, State,


and local officials.  After reviewing the suggestions raised during


the consultation, the Secretary formally  designates the region with


a notice in the Federal Register and notifies the Governor(s) of
                ~~~~~~~~      i

the State(s) affected by the designation.


     Section II of this report and the proposal therein were prepared


by the Texas Air Control Board.  The report itself is intended to


serve as the background document for the  formal consultation.

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                       THE FEDERAL PROPOSAL






     The National Air Pollution Control Administration has




reviewed the proposal and supportive discussion prepared by the




Texas Air Control Board.  NAPCA concurs with the findings of the




Board and proposes to include Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend,




Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties in




the Metropolitan Houston-Galveston Intrastate Air Quality Control




Region.




     The three objectives outlined in the subsection entitled




"Criteria for Determining Region Size" are met by the proposed




delineation.  Most pollution sources and receptors are located




in four of the eight counties--Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston,




and Harris.  However, all eight counties have population and




industrial growth potential.




     The National Air Pollution Control Administration encourages




the establishment of air quality control regions which correspond




to, or are compatible with, State or locally defined planning




regions.  Such designation may be realized in those instances




where the air pollution problem area lies within the bounds of




the planning agency; this is the case in the Houston-Galveston




area.  The Region as proposed is coterminous with the juris-




dictional boundaries of the Houston-Galveston Area Council of




Governments.  The.Council of Governments may be capable of




providing assistance in the development of air quality standards




and implementation plans which recognize the close relationship

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                                                                        XI
between air resource management, transportation, land-use




patterns, solid-waste disposal, and other urban activities.




     The proposed eight-county Region is considered to be one




which will be capable of abating air pollution in the metropolitan




Houston-Galveston area.

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                         SECTION II
ANAYLSIS AND PROPOSAL FOR THE HOUSTON-CALVES TON METROPOLITAN




                      INTRASTATE REGION




               BY THE TEXAS AIR CONTROL BOARD

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                   EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING FACTORS

INTRODUCTION
       The engineering evaluation for the Houston-Galveston area was
based on a study of topography, air pollutant emissions, meteorology,
estimated air quality levels, and available air quality data.   The
emission inventory indicated the location of point and area sources
and the quantity of pollutants emitted from these sources.  Emission
densities were calculated from the emission quantities and grid areas.
Emissions and average meteorological data were used in a diffusion
model to estimate air quality levels.  Figure 1 shows the Houston-
Galveston metropolitan area in relation to other metropolitan areas.
Figure 2 is a more detailed map of the eight county study area.


TOPOGRAPHY
       The topography of the eight counties within the study area is
basically the same.  The area is a relatively flat coastal plain with
many small streams, bayous and marsh areas.  Surface elevation varies
from sea-level to approximately kOO feet.

                               !
METEOROLOGY
       The climate of the study area is predominately marine.   The
many small streams, bays and marsh areas favor the development of
both ground fog and advective fog.  Prevailing winds are from the
southeast, except during the winter months when frequent passages
of high pressure systems bring invasions of polar air.  Daytime thermal
inversions of at least one hour duration do occur about 50% of the

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                                                                     100       200       300
Figure 1.  Map of Kouston-Galveston Study Area and Surrounding States

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                                              Calveston
                                        GULF OF MEXICO
                                       0    10      20    30
                                                  miles
Figure 2.  Houston-Galveston Eight County Study Area

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time.  Low level inversion layers occur much more frequently during nighttime.



Annual and seasonal wind roses for the Houston-Galveston area are shown in




Figure 3-



      Average morning and afternoon mixing depths in meters for the




Houston-Galveston area are shown below in Table I.
                                Table I

Morning
Afternoon
Winter
350
880
Spring
565
1190
Svomnsr
605
1^30
Autumn
400
13^0
Average
856

      The wind rose data and mixing depth information were utilized in



the simulation model for the eight county study area.
EMISSION INVENTORY



      The National Air Pollution Control Administration in cooperation with



the State and local control programs conducted an inventory of air pollutant



emissions for the eight county Houston-Galveston study area.  The method



employed was the Rapid Survey Technique for Estimating Community Air



Pollutant Emissions.  This technique provided estimates of the total



emissions for the following five pollutants:  sulfur oxides; nitrogen



oxides; hydrocarbons; carbon monoxide; and particulate matter.  Sulfur



oxides, total particulates and carbon monoxide are considered in this



report.  No attempt was made to account for the effects of reactive



pollutants combining following their release into the atmosphere.

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                                                   N
ANMJAL
WINTER
          f-f.S
                                                    4 ,
                                              SUMMER
Figure 3-   Wind Roses for Houston-Calveston Area
                (numbers indicate $ of time)

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       Sulfur oxide levels and total particulate emissions illustrate



the impact of industrial processing activities from stationary sources.



Levels of carbon monoxide provide the best indication of the impact



of gasoline powered motor vehicles.



       The eight county study area was divided into grid zones which



served as the basis for locating sources and reporting emissions.



Figure k shows the grid coordinate system for the Houston-Galveston



study area.  Major point source locations are shown in Figure 5.



Most of the major point sources are located in Harris, Galveston,



and Brazoria counties.  Fort Bend county contains one major power




plant.



       Figure 6 illustrates sulfur oxide emission densities for the



eight county study area.  Major sulfur emissions are shown for Harris,




Galveston, and Brazoria counties.  Figure 7 shows the particulate



emission density for the study area.  Portions of Harris, Galveston,




Brazoria, and Fort Bend counties show relatively high emissions of



particulates.  Carbon monoxide emission density is shown in Figure 8.



Again portions of Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, and Fort Bend counties



show the majority of the carbon monoxide emissions.



       A summary of the emissions by source category is shown in Figure 9-








AIR QUALITY ANALYSIS




       The geographical distribution of pollutant sources illustrate



the core of the problem area.  However, this does not elucidate the



extent of the influence of the pollution sources on the people and the



property located outside of the highly urbanized portions of the



Houston-Galveston area.  A study of air quality levels known to occur

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180,000
340,000



  336,000
Montgomery Co.



         250,000
                                                   320,000
          Figure k. Grid Coordinate System

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                                                                       N
                                                             LEGEND

                                                             Industry     •
                                                             Power Plant  P
                                                             Airport      A
                                                             .Incinerator  X
Figure 5-  Major Point Source Locations for Hbuston-Galveston Area

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180°°°
                                                                                      SULFUR OXIDES EMISSION,
                                                                                            ton s/mi 2-doy
           Figure  6. Sulfur oxides emission density from all sources for Houston-Galveston study area.

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          10
180°°°
                                                                                       PARTICULATE EMISSION,
                                                                                             tons/mi 2.d0y
                                                                                                   >2.00

                                                                                                 1.50 - 2.00

                                                                                                 0.50 - 1.50

                                                                                                 0.10 - 0.50

                                                                                         BS^fe) 0.01 - 0.10

                                                                                                  <0.01
               rigure 7. Paniculate emission density from all sources for Houston-Galveston study area.

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                                                                                                       11
ISO000
                                                                         GALVSTON   I
                                                                                  V
                                                                              CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSION,

                                                                                    tons/mi 2-Joy
          FigureS.  Carbon monoxide emission density from all sources for Houston- Galveston study area.

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               Combustion Fuels
               (Stationary Sources)
                      0.1$
                                  Industrial Process Emissions
Transportation
            Industrial Process
                 Emissions
                    93.3$
Refuse Disposal
      0.2$
                    Combustion of Fuels
                    (Stationary Sources)
               SULFUR OXIDES
            (1^3,900 tons/year)
                                        Transportation
                                             5.5$
                                                   Industrial Process
                                                       Emissions
                                     Refuse Disposal
                                                                                                           Refuse
                                                                                                              Disposal
                                                                                                                 3.6$
                                                            CARBON MONOXIDE
                                                         (1,066,!*00 tons/year)
                                                      PARTICULARS
                                                   (155>900 tons/year)
                               Figure 9.     Summary of Air Pollutant Emissions - 1967
NOTE;  This information represents data on specific air pollutant emissions gathered during the rapid survey for the
       major point sources shown in Figure 5 and the area sources.  It should not be interpreted as representative
       of air pollutant emissions for any specific location within.the study area.

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                                                                           13
is useful in determining the area affected by the pollution sources

and thus subject to inclusion in the Air Quality Control Region.

Such an analysis can be based directly on air sampling data in

those instances where the monitoring program covers a large enough

area and has been in existence long enough to provide a reliable

pattern of air quality throughout the region under study.  Since

such comprehensive air quality data rarely exists, it becomes


necessary to develop estimates of prevailing air quality.  Diffusion

modeling is a technique by which such estimates can be made based


on the location and quantity of the pollutant emissions and on


meteorological conditions.  Topography is reflected in the results


of the model, but only to the extent that it influences general

meteorological conditions.


       The diffusion model was applied for each of the three pollutants

for an average summer day, winter day and annual day.  Since the
                    2
Martin-Tikvart model used in this study attempts to show long-term


rather than episodic air quality conditions, only average emissions

and long-term meteorology are considered.  The results of the diffusion

model are theoretical in nature and are not meant to show exact

concentrations.  The relative magnitudes and general shape of the
                                 i

contours, however, should be valid.   The outputs from the computer

model have been adjusted to reflect measured air quality data.

Figures 10, 11, and 12 show these adjusted values for particulates,


sulfur oxides and carbon monoxide, respectively.




SUSPENDED PARTICULATE AIR LEVELS

       The levels predicted by the diffusion model were generally


lower than the actual measured air quality data.  The theoretical

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14
      levels aid in delineating the affected area.   Figure  10 shows the




      annual average distribution of particulate  pollution.   Portions  of




      Harris, Galveston,  Brazoria,  and Fort Bend  counties are shown to




      be affected.








      SULFUR OXIDE  LEVELS




             Figure 11 shows the distribution of  sulfur oxides over the




      eight county  study  area.   The absence of high sulfur  content fuels




      eliminates the area-wide  sulfur oxide problems encountered  in many




      other metropolitan  areas.   Sulfur oxides are  present  in Harris,




      Galveston, and Brazoria counties.








      CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS




             Since  the primary  source of carbon monoxide is the internal




      combustion engine,  the distribution of this pollutant tends to




      correlate with major traffic patterns.   The influences of the




      interstate freeway  system are obvious.   Portions of Harris, Galveston,




      Brazoria, and Fort  Bend counties are shown  in Figure  12 to  be experiencing




      carbon monoxide pollution.








      SUMMARY




             The engineering evaluation of the eight county study area shows




      that at the present time  the major point sources are  located in Harris,




      Galveston, Brazoria, and  Fort Bend counties.   Receptors in  these four




      counties are  also shown to be experiencing  the major  air pollution




      problems.

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                                                                15
                                                  miles
Figure 10. Annual Particulate Concentrations
     (micrograms per cubic meter j

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16
                                                                      miles
                  Figure 11.   Annual Sulfur Oxide Concentrations
                                 (parts per million by volume)

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                                                                    17
                                        0     10     20     30
                                                    miles
Figure  12.  Annual Carbon Monoxide Concentrations
               (parts per million by volume)

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18


                              EVALUATION OF URBAN FACTORS



         INTRODUCTION

                A number of urban factors are relevant to the problems of

         defining the boundaries of air quality control regions.  These factors

         include the location of population and industry, the population density,

         projected growth of both population and industry, and jurisdictional

         considerations.  These are all important considerations since human

         activity is the initial cause of most air pollution.  Humans are also

         the receptors affected by the pollution.  The projected growth patterns

         are most important for future planning purposes.




         POPULATION

                Table II shows the population growth for the study area from

         1960 to 1967 with an overall growth of 2J%.  Estimates of future

         population show that there will be 5 million people in the eight
                                     k
         county area by the year 1990.  Currently more than 8j% of the population

         for the study area reside in Harris and Galveston counties.  The remain-

         ing 13$ is  spread among the other six counties which are primarily

         rural.  Waller and Chambers are the only two counties in the study area

         which are not included in either the Houston or Galveston Standard

         Metropolitan Area.




         INDUSTRY

                Table III indicates the high degree of diversification of the

         industries in the area.  In addition to the major oil refineries,

         there are petrochemical plants, cement manufacture, metal processing)

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                                                        19
Table II  Population Figures for the



   Houston-Galveston Study Area

Brazoria County
Chambers County
Fort Bend County
Galveston County (Balance
City of Galveston
Harris County (Balance)
City of Houston
Liberty County
Montgomery County
Waller County
Grand Total
I960
76,200
io,4oo
Uo ,500
73,200
67,200
305,000
938,200
31,600
26,800
12, 100
1,581,200
1967
97,800
12,000
50,700
96,700
70,600
430,900
1,159,800
33,000
35,700
14,800
2,002,600
Percent
Increase
28
15
25
32
5
41
24
6
33
22
27

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20
           Table III  Types of Manufacturing Establishments in the Houston
               and Galveston Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas ^
                                       (I960)
                                                 Houston
Galveston
Texas City
           Food and Tobacco                         8l
           Textile Products                         18
           Paper and Printing                       62
           Chemical Products                       113
           Lumber & Wood Products                   lj-7
           Stone & Gravel Products                  53
           Primary & Intermediate Metal Products   152
           Electrical Machinery                    126
           Transportation and Ordinance             20
           Instruments and Miscellaneous            17
     8

     3
     8
     k

     2
                             Table IV  Manufacturing Data
                            Houston-Calveston Study Area
                                       (1963)
County

Brazoria
Chambers
Galveston
Harris
Liberty
Montgomery
Fort Bend
Waller
Number of
Establishments
73
k
96
2,OU8
k2
66
32
6
Number of
Employees
7,807
39
9,50^
97,517
597
1,017
1,6^7
17
Value Added
$1000
277,125
Unavailable
3^2, 101
1,590,567
2,816
19,652
28,2^3
78

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                                                                             21
coffee roasting, grain processing and aerospace facilities.   Additional


manufacturing data is shown in Table IV.  The industrial growth potential


for the Houston-Galveston area is certainly high.  The counties which


are now primarily rural today will surely be sharing in the expected


growth.  As an example Chambers County is scheduled to receive a


large industrial park development in the very near future.  The planned


canalization of the Trinity River from the Gulf of Mexico to the Dallas-


Fort Worth area is certain to enhance the industrial expansion potential


of Chambers and Liberty counties.  The navigation project proposed by


the Army Corps of Engineers is in the planning stages; however, a completion


date in the 1980's is possible.






REGIONAL PLANNING


      The Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments is the regional


planning agency for the area.  The eight counties of the study area


including h8 cities and 22 school districts make up the council which


was formed in 1966.  Projects relating to transportation, land use surveys,


base map preparation and environmental health planning have been undertaken


some of which have been completed.  Planning relative to the air quality
                                    t

control region may best be coordinated by this agency.






AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCIES


      The Texas Air Control Board is the State agency responsible for


air pollution control activities.  The Texas Clean Air Act provides


for equal enforcement of State Rules and Regulations by local


governments ( cities, counties, and health districts ).  The

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        State Board has adopted regulations relating to smoke  and suspended



        particulate matter,  outdoor burning, sulfur compounds  and toxic



        materials.  Enforcement provisions allow both injunctive  relief



        and civil and criminal penalty of up to $1000 per day.  Within



        the eight-county study area organized local control programs are



        presently functional in the City of Houston,  Harris County and



        Galveston County.  The City of Pasadena is currently organizing



        an air control program.

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                         THE PROPOSED REGION
                                                                           23

       Subject to the scheduled consultation. The Texas Air Control

Board recommends that the Secretary, Department of Health, Education,

and Welfare, designate an air quality control region for the Houston-

Galveston area, consisting of the following jurisdictions in Texas:

                             Harris County
                             Galveston County
                             Brazoria County
                             Fort Bend County
                             Waller County
                             Montgomery County
                             Chambers County
                             Liberty County

       As so proposed, the Houston-Calveston Air Quality Control

Region would consist of the territorial area encompassed by the

outermost boundaries of the proposed jurisdictions.  The proposed

Region is shown in Figure 13.



DISCUSSION OF PROPOSAL

       The proposed Region boundaries coincide with the boundaries

of the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments.  In general,

state or locally defined planning regions do not automatically

qualify as air quality control regions.  However, the Air Quality

Act of 1967 requires region boundaries to take into account existing

jurisdictions, among other factors.  Clearly, a council of governments

created under a state enabling act is an important jurisdictional

consideration.  Therefore, this study of the geographic extent

of the air pollution problem indirectly evaluates the suitability

of the eight county area as a geographic basis of attack on the air

pollution problem.  As discussed below, the eight counties in the

council of governments area satisfy the three requirements for air

quality control region boundaries.

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24
                                                                                N
                                                              Calveston
                                                        GULF OF MEXICO
                                                                    20
30
                                                                  miles
                Figure 13.  Proposed Houston-Galveston Air Quality
                                  Control Region

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                                                                           25
       To be successful, an air quality control region should meet

three basic conditions.  First, its boundaries should encompass most

pollution sources as well as most people and property affected by

those sources.  Second, the boundaries should encompass those locations

where industrial and residential development will create significant

air pollutiomproblems in the future.  Third, the boundaries should

be chosen in a way which is compatible with and even fosters unified

and cooperative governmental administration of the air resources

throughout the region.  The "Evaluation of Engineering Factors"

(discussion beginning with page  1  ) discussed the first of these

conditions, and the "Evaluation of Urban Factors" (page 18), the

second and third.

       The first consideration—that most air pollution sources

and receptors be within the Region boundaries—is satisfied by

the proposed Region.  Major point sources are located in four

counties—Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, and Fort Bend.  Emission

densities of particulates, carbon monoxide, and sulfur oxides are

greatest in these four jurisdictions.

       The second consideration is  directed towards future population
                                    t
and industrial expansion.  Approximately 2,000,000 people live in the

proposed Region, which represents about 20% of the population of the

State.  Estimates for the year 1990 show 5,000,000 people in the eight

county area.  Industrial expansion  is certain to include the counties

which today are primarily rural.  The proposed canalization of the Trinity

River is certain to have an impact  on the industrial development of


the entire area.

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26
          The third objective relates to governmental administration



   in the area.  Regional planning is coordinated by the  Houston-



   Galveston Area Council of Governments,  whose jurisdiction includes



   all eight of the counties.  The Council was established in 1966



   and consists of representatives of k8 cities and 22 school districts.



          Based on the technical data presented on air pollutant emissions




   and resultant ambient air concentrations,  only four counties  need be



   part of the Region to attack the air pollution problem.   Waller,



   Montgomery, Liberty,  and Chambers are mostly rural at  present and may



   remain so through 1990.   However, since these four counties have  joined



   with the other counties  in the administration of the Council  of Governments,



   it is logical to include them in the Air Quality Control Region for



   administrative purposes, despite their  present low air pollution  potential.



          In summary,  the Region proposed  is  considered on the whole to be



   the most cohesive and yet inclusive area within which  an effective regional



   effort can be mounted to prevent and control air pollution in the Houston-



   Galveston Metropolitan Area.

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                                                                          27
                             REFERENCES
1.  "Rapid Survey Technique for Estimating Community Air Pollution
    Emissions," PHS Publication No. 999-AP-29, Environmental Health
    Series, USDEW, NCAPC, Cincinnati, Ohio, October, 1966.

2.  "General Atmospheric Diffusion Model for Estimating the Effects
    on Air Quality of One or More Sources," Martin, D. and Tikvart,
    Minnesota, June, 1968.

3.  "Texas Almanac" 1968-1969, published by A.H. Belo  Corporation.

h.  Population projections provided by the Houston-Calves ton Area
    Council of Governments.

5.  "Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide", 100th Edition, 1969,
    Rand McNally and Company.
     U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1 969—395-976/H

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