Abstract for presentation at 14th IUAPPA World Congress

Over the past decade, the implementation of several measures in the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s (GVRD) 1994 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) has succeeded in reducing air emissions within the Lower Fraser Valley airshed. However, on occasion some ambient air quality objectives are still being exceeded. In addition, emissions of primary particulate matter, several secondary particulate matter precursors, and greenhouse gases are predicted to increase significantly over the next fifteen to twenty years as a result of growth in population, international trade and transportation. This “business as usual” scenario prompted the GVRD to develop a new AQMP, with input from government agencies on both sides of the United States-Canada border, a wide range of stakeholders, and the public. Adopted by the GVRD Board in October 2005, the new AQMP is strategic in nature, recognizing sustainability principles, new knowledge and concern about health impacts, visibility and global climate change. It provides a vision, goals, strategies and actions that will foster continuous air quality improvement in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed. The Plan also contains new health-based, medium-term ambient air quality objectives for carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide, ozone and sulphur dioxide. To implement this Plan, the GVRD will continue working with partner agencies on both sides of the border, promoting consistent and complementary actions. Examples of on-going partnerships include the Georgia Basin/Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy, and various co-funded programs aimed at improving the effectiveness of existing initiatives and identifying promising new projects.