If you want to receive updates when our air quality less than good, send me an e-mail.
Friday, August 22
Perfect Air Quality
Congratulations, you went a whole week with "good" air quality according to DHEC forecasts. Keep up the good work in reducing your carbon footprint.
If you want to receive updates when our air quality less than good, send me an e-mail.
If you want to receive updates when our air quality less than good, send me an e-mail.
Wednesday, August 20
Clyburn and Alexander Address Energy in the Pee Dee
Congressman James Clyburn and Representative Terry Alexander held a press release on energy policy today at Clemson University's Pee Dee Research and Education Center.
Ann Timberlake and the Conservation Voters of South Carolina and Dr. Laurie Lawson of Clemson University represented the sponsors for the conference.
Reverend Alexander started the press conference focusing on the importance of the African American community to engage in the climate change conversation.
Dr. Lawson presented the opportunities of 'green power' in the Pee Dee region, describing many plant materials including switchgrass as fuel sources.
Congressman Clyburn, an advocate for the past ten years for alternative fuel sources such as switchgrass, began by stressing that the U.S. energy policy needs to be a proactive and visionary process and has the opportunity to create new economies. He also warned that misrepresentation of facts is a big challenge for the energy conversation when referencing a recent conversation about offshore drilling.
He likened the idea of increasing domestic offshore drilling the "methadone treatment" to wean off of foreign oil.
The Congressman then talked about human health and its inextricable ties to the quality of our air quality and water supply.
So, now it's your turn to tell us how all this fits into the County's Comprehensive Plan (especially the Future Land Use Plan), tree preservation code language and other programs to increase the quality of our air, water and life.
Ann Timberlake and the Conservation Voters of South Carolina and Dr. Laurie Lawson of Clemson University represented the sponsors for the conference.Reverend Alexander started the press conference focusing on the importance of the African American community to engage in the climate change conversation.
Dr. Lawson presented the opportunities of 'green power' in the Pee Dee region, describing many plant materials including switchgrass as fuel sources.
Congressman Clyburn, an advocate for the past ten years for alternative fuel sources such as switchgrass, began by stressing that the U.S. energy policy needs to be a proactive and visionary process and has the opportunity to create new economies. He also warned that misrepresentation of facts is a big challenge for the energy conversation when referencing a recent conversation about offshore drilling.
He likened the idea of increasing domestic offshore drilling the "methadone treatment" to wean off of foreign oil.
The Congressman then talked about human health and its inextricable ties to the quality of our air quality and water supply.
So, now it's your turn to tell us how all this fits into the County's Comprehensive Plan (especially the Future Land Use Plan), tree preservation code language and other programs to increase the quality of our air, water and life.
Monday, August 18
Planning This Week | August 18, 2008
FLATS - Data, data and more data. We are compiling even more data into a map in order for SCDOT to run a congestion model. In essence, facts such as population, dwelling units, employment, school enrollment and locations of new building permits are compiling onto a map and then a program looks at all those pieces of information to determine where the most traffic will be in the future. It's cool!
But, one thing - everyone that I have talked to about trying to model traffic say it's like herding cats!
It's a chaos model because each of us is, well, unpredictable. So, since we are so unpredictable, we rely on models that give us a clue of traffic based on things we know - like how many people are enrolled at Francis Marion University over the past two seasons.
It's an interesting exercise - and with the long range plan ready to be redone, this congestion model will give our consultant some more information to use.
Also - our Request for Qualitifications for a consultant to help on our long range plan and Tranportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan has just closed and we currently have a few submissions. A selection committee will review these documents over the next week and recommend a consultant to the FLATS Policy Committee no later than October.
Comprehensive Plan - In addition to the news above, we are heavy into Land Use and Community Facility elements of the Comp Plan. Last Friday, we met with the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem of Olanta to review a draft of the Future Land Use map. With only a few changes, Mayor Sims scheduled a public hearing so residents of Olanta and their neighbors may review and comment on the map. The meeting will be October 7th 6:30 PM at the Olanta City Hall.
Air Quality - Thank goodness, it's been good! All of this rain makes for good air quality. And with Tropical Storm Fay, this trend should continue all week. E-mail me if you want regular air quality notifications.
I am still curious about some predictions that should prove (or disprove) themselves this week. Of course, school is now back in session, so all those idling cars and old buses (25% are 19 years or older) may take their toll on our air quality record.
We are still working on tree preservation code language and will be scheduling a public 'roll out' hopefully in the next month. The basic protections we are proposing include a minimum 15 trees/ acre and preservation of certain sized species. Furthermore, we are proposing development buffers along roadways and minimum planting requirements in parking lots.
Why are we doing this?
The importance of healthy trees and tree canopy can never be underestimated. At last week's LID presentation, a couple stats about a full grown tree include displacement of 1500 gallons of water and decreasing surface temperatures by 10 degrees. These stats translate directly to stormwater management and energy conservation. Other benefits include increasing air quality, which has challenged us for the past four months.
Tuesday, August 12
Flip to LID
The Florence County Planning Commission sponsored a presentation about the opportunities in low impact development (LID).
The presenter is an experienced, professional landscape designer/engineer/planner who shared information about the benefits of sustainable development to members of the Florence area community. John Thomas, from WK Dickson, presented projects integrating low impact development practices and cost savings while maximizing the number and value of developable lots.
In addition to numerous Planning Commission members and city and county staff, the event was attended by engineering firms, consultants and developers including Engineering Consultants, Inc.; D-Hall Construction Company, Finklea Law Firm, RWF Construction, BP Barber and WK Dickson's Columbia office.
To learn more about low impact development, please visit some of the following sites:
And since these development practices help keep our drinking water clean, this next website includes some helpful development ideas as well:
Look for more local presentations of new, sustainable ways to develop Florence responsibly.
Monday, August 11
Planning This Week | August 11, 2008
FLATS: Transportation planning rolls on. Last week, the stakeholder list for public notifications about transportation meetings has been recently updated. Now, when a policy committee meeting or important transportation news surfaces, there is an easy way to get the word out. If you would like to be on our contact list, e-mail our office (contacts at the bottom right).
Also, we will be finishing up the bus stop and route data for PDRTA. Our goal is provide a bus route brochure that is easy to read and understand. This information may also be posted on the PDRTA website in the future.
Comprehensive Plan: The Land Use element of the County's Comp. Plan continues to take shape. As discussed in a previous entry, the Land Use element is one of the most important documents for a growing metropolis. It's hard to think of Florence as a big place, especially when we have such large examples like Columbia and Raleigh nearby; but, Florence is growing fast. With so many people, the natural question is 'how should we grow?' That's where your input into making this plan is so important.
Last week, we met with the City of Johnsonville and the Town of Quinby to discuss edits to the drafted Future Land Use map. This week, we will meet with the Town of Olanta to discuss what they want to see the Town look like in the next 20 years. As a follow-up to this municipal meetings, a public forum will be scheduled so residents in each area may see these long-term plans.
Air Quality: After last week's Action Day alert from the Department of Health and Environmental Control, I thought our precarious ozone position would certainly land us deep into non-attainment - however, we have yet to reach that critical point.
In order to further maintain air quality in the future, a higher value should be given to our tree resources. Over the past months, tree protection has been brought to the forefront as a tool to combat our challenged air quality. Trees have the potential to filter air of noxious gases and dust, sequester (take up) carbon, cool our environment and produce oxygen.
So, while allowing for forestry practices to continue, we will be proposing language to add to the County code that would protect certain species, certain number of trees per acre and other specifics for new, large developments.
This plan will make developing in Florence County more sustainable by keeping our environment cooler, managing stormwater, and reducing soil erosion. At the same time, saving trees reduces the cost of installing and maintaining stormwater systems that direct flood waters from new buildings into our rivers. ...so trees will also help out water quality.
Also, we will be finishing up the bus stop and route data for PDRTA. Our goal is provide a bus route brochure that is easy to read and understand. This information may also be posted on the PDRTA website in the future.
Comprehensive Plan: The Land Use element of the County's Comp. Plan continues to take shape. As discussed in a previous entry, the Land Use element is one of the most important documents for a growing metropolis. It's hard to think of Florence as a big place, especially when we have such large examples like Columbia and Raleigh nearby; but, Florence is growing fast. With so many people, the natural question is 'how should we grow?' That's where your input into making this plan is so important.
Last week, we met with the City of Johnsonville and the Town of Quinby to discuss edits to the drafted Future Land Use map. This week, we will meet with the Town of Olanta to discuss what they want to see the Town look like in the next 20 years. As a follow-up to this municipal meetings, a public forum will be scheduled so residents in each area may see these long-term plans.
Air Quality: After last week's Action Day alert from the Department of Health and Environmental Control, I thought our precarious ozone position would certainly land us deep into non-attainment - however, we have yet to reach that critical point.
In order to further maintain air quality in the future, a higher value should be given to our tree resources. Over the past months, tree protection has been brought to the forefront as a tool to combat our challenged air quality. Trees have the potential to filter air of noxious gases and dust, sequester (take up) carbon, cool our environment and produce oxygen.
So, while allowing for forestry practices to continue, we will be proposing language to add to the County code that would protect certain species, certain number of trees per acre and other specifics for new, large developments.
This plan will make developing in Florence County more sustainable by keeping our environment cooler, managing stormwater, and reducing soil erosion. At the same time, saving trees reduces the cost of installing and maintaining stormwater systems that direct flood waters from new buildings into our rivers. ...so trees will also help out water quality.
Thursday, August 7
Pee Dee Air Quality 2008
Some people show off their vintage cars. Others may be inclined to display their prized gourds and pumpkins. Still others may be proud to talk about their weaving skills. Well, I want to talk about our air quality.
As you can see by the graphic, our air quality, particularly ozone, can be mostly considered 'okay' across the timeframe of April to August, since it resides mostly below the national standard (the red line). However, there are a few details that we must focus on. However, unlike classic cars, gargantuan gourds or meticulous basketry, we would rather not see these types of details.
So, let's examine the problem dates and ozone concentrations (ppb):
April 18, 2008 - 81
May 23, 2008 - 76
June 19, 2008 - 77
June 25, 2008 - 76
July 17, 2008 - 80
Remember, the national standard is 75 ppb, however, in order to be labeled 'non-attainment' for air quality standards, the average of the past three years, a design value, must be above the standard. This design value acts as a target to beat for ozone levels. For 2008, in order to maintain the standard, the Pee Dee value could go as high as 77 ppb... above the national standard because the third highest value for 2007 was 73 ppb, and 2006 was 76 ppb. In order to meet the standard, the Pee Dee monitor needs to record 77 ppb or lower to maintain the standard.
Confusing, yes, but I am sure there is some statistical genius who put this formula together.
Back to the examination... and a potential solution:
Leaving out the June 25th datum, these above-standard records fall either on a Thursday or Friday of the third full week in each month. Now, I am not a statistician, but those odds seem a bit too regular... and a potential clue to the causes to the spikes.
I am currently looking at potential causes to this anomaly... can I predict that either on August 21st or 22nd and September 18th or 19th, we'll see further spikes? ...I don't know. But keep up the car stories, gourd planting and basket weaving, and I will keep you posted on the investigation.
As you can see by the graphic, our air quality, particularly ozone, can be mostly considered 'okay' across the timeframe of April to August, since it resides mostly below the national standard (the red line). However, there are a few details that we must focus on. However, unlike classic cars, gargantuan gourds or meticulous basketry, we would rather not see these types of details.
So, let's examine the problem dates and ozone concentrations (ppb):
April 18, 2008 - 81
May 23, 2008 - 76
June 19, 2008 - 77
June 25, 2008 - 76
July 17, 2008 - 80
Remember, the national standard is 75 ppb, however, in order to be labeled 'non-attainment' for air quality standards, the average of the past three years, a design value, must be above the standard. This design value acts as a target to beat for ozone levels. For 2008, in order to maintain the standard, the Pee Dee value could go as high as 77 ppb... above the national standard because the third highest value for 2007 was 73 ppb, and 2006 was 76 ppb. In order to meet the standard, the Pee Dee monitor needs to record 77 ppb or lower to maintain the standard.
Confusing, yes, but I am sure there is some statistical genius who put this formula together.
Back to the examination... and a potential solution:
Leaving out the June 25th datum, these above-standard records fall either on a Thursday or Friday of the third full week in each month. Now, I am not a statistician, but those odds seem a bit too regular... and a potential clue to the causes to the spikes.
I am currently looking at potential causes to this anomaly... can I predict that either on August 21st or 22nd and September 18th or 19th, we'll see further spikes? ...I don't know. But keep up the car stories, gourd planting and basket weaving, and I will keep you posted on the investigation.
Wednesday, August 6
Ozone Action Day
The following is today's air quality forecast: Wednesday, August 6, 2008: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Ozone (104)
** CODE ORANGE ACTION DAY for Trident and Pee Dee Zones for Wednesday **
Today's ozone readings appear headed for peaks in the code Yellow range for the most part with an outside shot at an isolated code orange still possible mainly in the Upstate. For Wednesday, strong high pressure aloft will continue to ridge into the state from the west keeping hot temperatures and mainly dry conditions in the forecast -- although a stray thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. Winds in the lower atmosphere will veer slightly to a more NW'ly direction over northern sections. This will place the Pee Dee zone downwind of the Charlotte Metro plume -- which is the main reason for the code Orange forecast for them. Trident will also be downwind of much of today's "dirty" air and under hot and mostly dry conditions, may not see much relief from the sea breeze. Thus, it is conceivable that code Orange could be reached there as well. In the other 4 zones, code Yellow ozone peaks are expected.
Today’s Share the Air notification:
This is our first Action Day for 2008 in the Pee Dee. The Department of Health and Environmental Control has issued an Ozone Action Day for the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Ground level ozone concentrations are expected to be greater than 0.075 parts per million (or greater than 100 AQI). In essence, sensitive groups should limit outdoor activities.
Keep in mind where your pollution goes. Fill your tank after 7:00PM, limit unnecessary trips, use Mass Transit, carpool. Although Charlotte Metro may be the main cause, our vehicle emissions only add to local ozone levels.
The general descriptions of ozone, air quality index levels and potential risks to special population groups are explained below:
Good (1-50)
No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.
Moderate (51-100)
Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy (151-200)
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Very Unhealthy (201-300)
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
If you have any questions regarding the air quality of Florence County or would like to be included in an e-mail distribution of air quality, please feel free to e-mail me at spark@florenceco.org.
This is our first Action Day for 2008 in the Pee Dee. The Department of Health and Environmental Control has issued an Ozone Action Day for the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Ground level ozone concentrations are expected to be greater than 0.075 parts per million (or greater than 100 AQI). In essence, sensitive groups should limit outdoor activities.
Keep in mind where your pollution goes. Fill your tank after 7:00PM, limit unnecessary trips, use Mass Transit, carpool. Although Charlotte Metro may be the main cause, our vehicle emissions only add to local ozone levels.
The general descriptions of ozone, air quality index levels and potential risks to special population groups are explained below:
Good (1-50)
No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.
Moderate (51-100)
Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy (151-200)
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Very Unhealthy (201-300)
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
If you have any questions regarding the air quality of Florence County or would like to be included in an e-mail distribution of air quality, please feel free to e-mail me at spark@florenceco.org.
Monday, August 4
Land Use and Transportation
Land Use is coming!
Land Use is coming!
Many people that I have recently talked to, say 'Land Use' is a bad phrase and that there is gong to be a fight over land use in Florence County. Well, I hope that we will dispell all the 'bad' from this important tool to our residents.
Florence County is currently in the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan. This plan has a number of elements that direct the future of the County and includes such titles as Natural Resources, Economic, Community Facilities, Cultural Resources, Transportation and one that we are currently working on: Future Land Use.
All of the elements are designed to inventory what we know about the County for each of the above subjects. Then the challenge is to cram everything we want to do over the next 20 years as future goals and try to label an appropriate timeframe to complete them.
Luckily, every county in the State needs a comprehensive plan. However, every county is different; and Florence County is an exceptional example: the Future Land Use element of the Comprehensive Plan will help incorporate commercial, industrial, residential and public facility uses with transportation corridors and natural resource protection. One of our goals is to provide a land use plan that is sustainable, effective and that makes common sense.
Over the next few months, as we draft maps that show our first attempt at a land use picture, we will be meeting with municipal administration to see if there are any glaring anomalies to address before public meetings. We anticipate public meetings to further direct what our landscape will look like in the future before we present to plan to the Florence County Planning Commission.
So, what does the future land use plan do? Hopefully, it keeps residential land uses buffered from commercial and industrial uses. It keeps large industrial parks near major highways to facilitate heavy freight use. It will protect our water resources by allowing low density development along rivers and streams. In essence, it's a big picture plan for the future development of Florence County, and I think it's worth fighting for. I hope you do too.
Want to learn more? Return here for more news or e-mail me and tell me you want to be kept in the loop on Future Land Use! We'll put you on the e-mail list when we are in your town.
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