Improving Air Quality A Public Outreach

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Improving Air QualityA Public Outreach
CommunicationProgram

• Presentation By
• Ms. Reggie Korthals
• Environmental Director
• Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission
  (MPO)
• June 29, 2004
• FHWA Environmental Conference

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Clean AirIts A Region Thing !

• Be Part of the Solution
• Not The Problem

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Where are we?

• Part of the Chicago Metropolitan Area
• 1,520 square miles Tri-County area
• Population 741,468 (2000)
• 45 miles of Lake Michigan Shore Line
• Classified MODERATE non-attainment for ozone
  under the 8 hour standard
• 47 of air pollution is from mobile sources
• No regional public transportation system

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Purpose of the NWI Air Quality Public Outreach
and Education Program

• Regulatory Program Support
• - Auto Emissions Testing (I M)
• Non-regulatory Program Support
• General Public Awareness
• Voluntary program
• Youth Campaign
• Environmental Justice

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Coalitions Partnerships

• Universities
• High School Educators
• National Park Service
• State, County Local Parks
• Environmental Conservation Groups
• Community Coalitions

• Business Industry
• Newspapers and Radio
• Local Gov. Agencies
• State Gov. Agencies
• Federal Agencies
• Elected Officials
• Citizens Groups

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Coalitions and Partnerships Help Maximize
Objectives

• Leverages resources
• Increases visibility in the community
• Increases credibility in the community
• Easier program implementation
• Air quality objectives are maximized

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2004 Program Emphasis

• Ozone and PM 2.5 Awareness New Messages Air
  Pollution Action Day
• Decrease Diesel Idling Emissions
• Increase School Bus Conversions
• Implement Idle Free Zones at Travel Centers Along
  80/69 Corridor
• Continue Gas Can Exchange Program
• Increase Car Care and Refueling Awareness
• Introduce Eco Driving - XRT Drivers Education
  Program
• Inclusion of LaPorte County into the Program
• Reorganize and Expand Partners For Clean Air
  Program

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2004 Air Quality Public Outreach Clean Air
Its A Region Thing

• Ozone Action Day Programs Still Struggling with
  new message
• South Shore RailCats Promotion Ride Share to
  the Ball Park
• Gas Can Exchange Program
• School Bus and Fleet Retrofit/Biodiesel
  Initiative
• Diesel Emissions and Truck Stop Electrification
  Pilot Project
• Introduction of XRT Program ECO DRIVING

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2004 Ozone Action Day Air Pollution Action Day
Events

• Brochures distributed by Vehicle Inspection and
  Maintenance Centers May-October,
• Two Workshops for Teachers partner, EENSLMR
• Partnership With IN DOT to Use IT system
• Media Notification and Alert Newspapers and
  Radio
• Partners for Clean Air Action Steps

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Indicators of Success

• Number of outreach materials distributed and
  requested
• Increased response and attendance at events
• Increased participation at events
• Amount and type of media coverage
• Increase in public interest in heavy diesel
  emissions
• Number of gas cans collected
• Increased public awareness

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Measuring Success

• Measuring outcomes and impacts of the program
  were difficult
• Lack of funds
• Lack of personnel
• Lack of time
• Lack of evaluation strategies
• US EPA Demonstrating the Benefits Toolkit will
  enable better planning , implementing,
  evaluating, and refining program in the future.

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For Additional Information on the NIRPC Air
Quality Public Education and Outreach
ProgramContact

• Ms. Reggie Korthals
• Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission
• 6100 Southport Road
• Portage, IN 46368
• 219-763-6060
• rkorthals_at_nirpc.org