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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22
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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N
Calveston
GULF OF MEXICO
20
30
miles
Figure 13. Proposed Houston-Galveston Air Quality
Control Region
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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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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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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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