Grant Application - Continuation of Air Awareness Programming in the Charlotte Region
ACTION:
1) Approve submission of a grant application for up to $105,000 to N.C. Department of Environmental Quality for Air Awareness grant funding to support education and outreach programs in the multi-county Charlotte region
2) Adopt the required grant project ordinance for Air Awareness Grant in the General Grant Fund (G001)
3) If awarded, recognize, receive, and appropriate the award amount to the General Grant Fund (G001) within the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency
Staff Contact: Leslie Rhodes, LUESA - Air Quality Director
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Mecklenburg County Air Quality (MCAQ) is requesting approval to receive up to $105,000 in funding from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to administer the “Charlotte Air Awareness” program (CAA). DEQ will reimburse 80% (up to $84,000) of the cost of administering the CAA program and MCAQ will provide the 20% match (up to $21,000) from division funds.
CAA is a state program that is administered by Mecklenburg County for the seven county Charlotte region. CAA provides education to residents, businesses and schools across the region on topics including health impacts of air pollution and voluntary pollution-reduction strategies. CAA is administered by current MCAQ staff. No new County resources are needed.
CAA work aligns with the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) Strategic Business Plan strategy to "Listening and responding to residents, businesses, the AQC advisory board and other stakeholders." (LUE.3.1.C).
Public education and outreach programs, like CAA, are encouraged by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as effective tools to improve air quality and protect public health. DEQ has found that the most effective outreach programs are performed by locally based personnel who can work closely with members of the local community. Therefo...
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