GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES----------------

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCESDIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

45 MARS HILLFREDERIKSTED, ST. CROIX, VI 00841

PHONE: (340) 773·1082, FAX: (340) 773·9310

July 19,2017

Kirk WieberSection ChiefUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyRegion II290 BroadwayNew York, New York 10007-1866

Dear Mr. Wieber:

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the public comment period for the USVirgin Islands Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan has concluded. The followingnetworks were included in the 2017 Annual Network Review:

• Particulate Matter (an aero-diameter often microns or less) (PMIO)

• Particulate Matter (an aero-diameter of two and a half microns or less) (PM2.5)

No public comments were submitted to the Virgin Islands Department of Planning andNatural Resources during this period.

Sincerely,

'lA~Iv\,~. ~~orman D. WilliamsDirector

Attachment (3)VI 2017 Network PlanPublic NoticePosted Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources,Division of Environmental Protection pursuant to 40 C.F .R.Part 58.20(d), submits Annual Review of the Air QualitySurveillance System. Such comment period will end thirtydays after this notice is posted. Please address commentsto:

Norman Williams, DirectorDepartment of Planning and Natural Resources

Division of Environmental Protection#45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI 00840

Or email: norman.williams@dpnr.vi.gov orhoward.brown@dpnr.vi.gov

The review may be seen at any of our district offices at#45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI 00840 or8100 Lindberg Bay Suite No. 61, Cyril E. King Airport,St. Thomas VI 00802. For more information contactHoward Brown at the address provided, or call(340) 773-1082.

r • ,_

USVI Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan 2017

Table of Contents

Page

Introduction 01

References 05

Tables

Bethlehem Village Site (Location Information) 1

Bethlehem Village Site (Monitoring Parameters) 2

Vendor's Plaza Site (Location Information) 3

Vendor's Plaza Site (Monitoring Parameters) 4

02

02

03

04

11

u.s. Virgin Islands Monitoring Network Plan 2016

Introduction

The annual network plan describes to the US Environmental Protection Agency whichpollutants and other parameters the US Virgin Islands Department of Planning andNatural Resources Division of Environmental Protection measures at its differentambient air monitoring sites and why they are measured at those specific locations.

Based on population, 40 CFR Part 58 does not require monitoring in the US VirginIslands for CO, 03, N02, PM10and PM2.5. Basedon sources, 40 CFRPart 58 does notrequire monitoring in the US Virgin Islands for 502, and Pb. The Division ofEnvironmental Protection (DEP) currently operates two (2) monitoring stations forparticulate matter in ambient air. One (1) of the sampling stations is located in St. Croixand one (1) is located on St. Thomas.

The objective of the Virgin Islands air monitoring network is to determine the exposureof PM2.5 and PM10 on the population. The goal is to provide ambient data thatsupports the nation's air quality programs. The ambient data from this network willdrive an array of regulatory decisions, ranging from designating areas as attainment ornon-attainment, to developing cost effective control programs. Data from this programwill also be used for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)comparisons,development and tracking of implementation plans, assessmentsfor regional haze, andassistancefor health studies and other aerosol research activities.

The Virgin Islands maintains the PM10FRMsampler in order to collect data on SaharaDust episodes passing through the Territory which is more prevalent in the summermonths. These episodes of dust storms appear to be passing through the region beforesummertime more frequently. These events can be documented through sampling andverified through the US Naval website www.nrlmry.navy.mil/aerosol/ and the San JuanWeather Service. The PM10 concentrations in the US Virgin Islands are highest andreach closest to the 24-hour standard of 150 ug/f7i1 during these episodes.

There have been questions locally whether these SaharaDust episodes are contributingto the increase in emergency room visits by asthmatics, or other individuals withrespiratory illnesses. PM10data can be utilized if the VI Department of Health decidesto conduct a health study on whether there is a correlation between increaseemergency room visits and SaharaDust.

The following is the PMlOand PM2.5monitoring network plan description which isavailable to the public for comment. After that review period it must be submitted tothe RegionalAdministrator for approval (40CFR§ 58.20).

1

Bethlehem Village

Site Location Bethlehem Village I

Site Address Bethlehem Village Management Office

Site Specific Name Bethlehem Village--

AQS Number 78-010-0012

VI County St. Croix 1Statistical Area US Virgin Islands

Coordinates Latitude 17°42'48.57" N Longitude J64°47'0.33" W-----.------------ - ----------

Table 1

The Bethlehem Village site was established in July 1979. This site was originallyestablished to Sample for Total Suspended Particulate (TSP). TSP monitoring ended in1995. PMlOFederal Reference Method (FRM) began in 1996 and PM2.5FRM monitoringbegan in 1999. The PM10 FRM sampler is currently collocated at the site.

The parameters monitored are indicated in the following table:

Parameter Sampling Method Analysis Method Schedule Spatial Scale

PM2.5FRM 142 gravimetric 1 in 6 day Neighborhood

PMlOFRM 125 gravimetric 1 in 6 day Neighborhood

PM2.5Continuous 701 TEOM Continuous NeighborhoodRaw Data Gravimetric

--- - -- ---_._---------- -----------

Table 2

Monitoring objective statement:

Population Exposure

Statement of Purpose statement:

The goal of the Particulate Matter, two and a half microns or less (PM2.5)and ParticulateMatter ten microns or less (PMlO) monitoring program is to provide ambient data thatsupports the nation's air quality programs.

2

The ambient data from this network will drive an array of regulatory decisions, rangingfrom designating areas as attainment or non-attainment, to developing cost effectivecontrol programs.

Data from this program will also be used for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards(NMQS) comparisons, development and tracking of implementation plans, assessmentsfor regional haze, and assistance for health studies and other aerosol research activities.

This site was established to be in compliance with the regulations.This site is suitable for comparison against the annual PM2.5NMQS standard.

Plan Changes for Next 18 Months

There are planned changes within the next 18 months.

Waterfontl Vendor's Plaza

Table 3Site Location Waterfront/Vendor's Plaza

Site Address # 8 Tolbod Gade

Site Specific Name Vendor's Plaza

AQS Number 78-030-0010

VI County St. Thomas

Statistical Area US Virgin Islands

Coordinates Latitude 18°20/26.70" N Longitude64°55/50.93" W

This is a new site that has begun data collection with continuous TEOM 1400Asamplers in 2007 for Particulate Matter ten microns or less (PMlO) and Particulate Mattertwo and a half microns or less (PM2.5) sampling. In 2016, only a PM2.5 continuousmonitor is operated at the site.

3

The parameters monitored are indicated in the following tables:

Parameter Sampling Method Analysis Method Schedule Spatial Scale

PM2.5Continuous 701 TEOM Gravimetric Continuous NeighborhoodRaw Data Continuous Scale

Table 4

Monitoring objective statement:

Population Exposure

Statement of Purpose statement:

The goal of the Particulate Matter two and a half microns or less (PM2.s) monitoringprogram is to provide ambient data that supports the nation's air quality programs. Theambient data from this network will drive an array of regulatory decisions, ranging fromdesignating areas as attainment or non-attainment, to developing cost effective controlprograms.Data from this program will also be used for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards(NAAQS) comparisons, development and tracking of implementation plans, assessmentsfor regional haze, and assistance for health studies and other aerosol research activities.

This site was established for reporting daily air quality, especially in instances of Saharadust storms from the Sahara Desert in Africa, and volcanic ash from the Volcano on theCaribbean island of Monseratt. These storms are passing through the territorythroughout the year. Through the use of the Air Quality (AQI) Index of which there aresix levels. Each color coded section has a level of health concern and AQI value range.This gives the public a better understanding of the air quality.

Plan Changes for Next 18 Months

There are planned changes within the next 18 months.

4

References

1. 40 Code of FederalRegulations.U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency Part 58 Ambient Air Quality SurveillanceSubpart B, Cand D.

2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Air Quality SystemDatabase.

5

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GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISlANDS OF THE UNITED STATES----0----

DEPARTMENT OF PlANNING ANDNATURALRESOURCESNo. 45Estate Mars Hill, Frederiksted

St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00841

PUBLIC NOTICE2017Air Quality Surveillance System Annual Review

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division ofEnvironmental Protection pursuant to 40 C.F.R.Part 58.20(d), submits AnnualReview of the Air Quality Surveillance System. Such comment period willexpire thirty days after this notice is posted. Please address comments to:

se.

Norman Willianls, DirectorDepartment of Planning and Natural Resources

Division of Environmental Protection#45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI 00840

Or email: normau.williams a dpnr.vi.guv or howard.brown a dpnr.vi.gov

The review may be seen at any of our district offices at

#45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted,St. Croix, VI 00840

or

8100 Lindberg Bay Suite No. 61,Cyril E. King AirportSt. Thomas, VI 00802.

For more information contact Howard Brown at the address provided, or call(340)773-1082.

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Notice of 2017 Air Quality Surveillance System AnnualReview

May 30, 2017 by /arahal/iday o Comment

GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES----0----

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNINGAND NATURALRESOURCESNo. 45Estate Mars Hill, Frederiksted

St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00841

PUBLIC NOTICE2017Air Quality Surveillance System Annual Review

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division ofEnvironmental Protection pursuant to 40 C.F.R.Part 58.20(d), submits AnnualReview of the Air Quality Surveillance System. Such comment period willexpire thirty days after this notice is posted. Please address comments to:

Norman Williams, DirectorDepartment of Planning and Natural Resources

Division of Enviromnental Protection#45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI 00840

Or email: norman.williamv a d 1)11 r.vi.gov or howard.hruwn a dpnr.vi.gov

The review may be seen at any of our district offices at

#45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted,St. Croix, VI 00840

or

8100 Lindberg Bay Suite No. 61,Cyril E. King AirportSt. Thomas, VI 00802.

For more information contact Howard Brown at the address provided, or call(340)773-lO82.

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