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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General
At a Glance
2005-S-00005
February 16, 2005
Catalyst for Improving the Environment
Why We Did This Review
Our review was prompted by a
hotline complaint regarding the
Atlantic Steel transportation
control measure (TCM) in Atlanta,
Georgia. In response to the
complainant's concerns, we sought
to determine whether (1) changes
to selected zoning conditions in the
Atlantic Steel TCM necessitated a
State implementation plan (SIP)
revision; and (2) Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4
oversight of the Atlantic Steel
TCM was adequate.
Background
The Atlantic Steel project is a
brownfields redevelopment effort
that was designated as a TCM in
the Georgia SIP, and is also a
Project XL effort that allows the
use of innovative strategies to
achieve environmental goals. The
complainant contended that the
City of Atlanta changed provisions
of the TCM's zoning condition #4
without submitting a SIP revision
for EPA approval. Zoning
condition #4 is related to limiting
cut-through traffic in existing
residential neighborhoods around
the Atlantic Steel development.
For further information, contact our
Office of Congressional and Public
Liaison at (202) 566-2391.
To view the full report, click on the
following link:
www.epa.gov/oig/reports/2005/20050
216-2005-S-00005.pdf
Review of Changes to the Atlantic Steel
Transportation Control Measure
What We Found
We did not find evidence that the change to zoning condition #4 would have
a negative effect on the ability of Georgia to attain the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards of the current SIP. The revised zoning condition replaces
vague language related to traffic calming (e.g., speed humps) with specific
prescribed actions and timetables, and the change does not result in the SIP
being "substantially inadequate" to attain the Standards. The zoning changes
include specific measures to limit cut-through traffic and do not, at this time,
appear to result in increased air emissions or an undermining of the TCM.
Accordingly, we concluded that a revision to the Georgia SIP was not
required in this instance.
We found that Region 4's oversight of the changes to zoning condition #4
was generally adequate for the period reviewed. The public was provided
the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to zoning condition #4,
and Region 4 officials mediated a compromise agreement to the zoning
condition language. However, Region 4 officials acknowledged that the
annual public meetings required under Project XL had not occurred in over a
year. Region 4 officials committed to starting the annual meeting process
again in February 2005, and to monitor the City of Atlanta's progress in
ensuring that the terms in zoning condition #4 are met. Also, EPA
participates in public meetings held by the Atlanta Regional Commission's
Air Quality Interagency Consultation group and the State's "Green Light
Team" meetings regarding the Atlantic Steel project, but we noted that dates
and times are not advertised to sufficiently inform the public as to when the
meetings are held, and that EPA could take further measures to increase the
opportunity for public involvement in the project.
What We Recommend
We recommend that EPA Region 4 use the annual public meetings required
by Project XL to monitor any future negative impacts to certain streets as a
result of the zoning condition #4 change, post the dates and times of
meetings held by the Atlanta Regional Commission's Air Quality
Interagency Consultation group and State's "Green Light Team" on EPA's
public web site to increase opportunities for public involvement, and develop
a forum on its public web site for the public to post questions and concerns
about the Atlantic Steel project and for EPA to post responses to these
concerns. In its response to the draft memorandum report, EPA Region 4
agreed with our conclusions and recommendations.

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