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The Nexus |
There is a nexus between air quality and how we develop and use the land. Where we live, work and recreate often
times leads to vehicle trips and vehicles miles traveled. The main source of air pollution in the Sacramento region is vehicle
exhaust, so developing the land in a way that reduces vehicle trips and miles traveled, and provides transportation alternatives helps improve air quality.
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Regional Planning |
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Blueprint is a regional planning effort undertaken by SACOG and local governments to provide a vision
for growth that promotes compact, mixed-use development and more transit choices as an alternative to low density development.
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Land Use Decisions |
Since cities and counties are responsible for land use decisions and use their general plan as a guide,
the AQMD is only able to provide guidance and assistance on air quality planning.
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General Plan Updates |
Many jurisdictions are actively in the process of updating their general plans and are requesting public comment and participation. The links below provide more information on the general plan update status, meetings, and contact information.
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The Model
Air
Quality
Element | The AQMD Board of Directors adopted a Model Air Quality Element containing policies intended for use in a
separate Air Quality Element that cities and counties can incorporate into their General Plans.
The Model Air Quality Element offers a practical way for local jurisdictions to contribute to air quality improvement in the Sacramento region.
It emphasizes the significance of land use decisions and resulting transportation behavior on air quality. It includes:
- recommended policies to reduce emissions,
- strategies that will help bring healthy air to the residents of each community,
- primary focus on “smart growth” development, and
- secondary focus on transportation demand management.
The document is available as a PDF file (168 Kb) and as a Word file (411 Kb).
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The AQMD’s Land Use & Transportation Section reviews and provides comments on land use projects in Sacramento County, the incorporated cities, school districts, water and utility districts, federal and state agencies, and other lead agencies. The AQMD’s goal is to reduce air quality impacts from development by recommending mitigation measures.
The AQMD Board of Directors adopted a set of principles (PDF 46 kb) that staff use when reviewing projects.
More detail on the project review process is found on the CEQA and Mitigation program page.
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Related Land Use Links
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The AQMD’s Land Use & Transportation Section participates in regional and local
transportation planning and project evaluation
efforts to ensure air quality concerns are addressed. Existing and future transportation
systems need to emphasize multi modal
access in an effort to reduce vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled.
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Land Use & Transportation Events |
| There are currently no events scheduled.
The AQMD's Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) document has been updated to reflect the new version of URBEMIS and other developments. The CEQA Web page has additional information on URBEMIS and training.
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Land Use & Transportation News |
Land Use & Transportation News is the AQMD's newsletter focusing on environmental review, related guidance and tools, and the relationship between air quality, land use, and the transportation sector. Its purpose is to keep agencies and consultants updated on important issues. Below are links the most recent editions:
Please direct comments or questions about the newsletter to Karen Huss at (916) 874-4881 or e-mail khuss@airquality.org.
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