Vineyard Air Quality
Vineyard operations can emit substances into the air, some of which can contribute to air pollution. This page will help guide you through the rules and reporting necessary to comply with air quality regulations.
Why the Regulation Exists:
Air emissions are regulated to preserve and improve air quality. High levels of pollutants in the air can have negative impacts on the health and well-being of residents exposed to them. Air emissions are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and local air districts throughout California. The responsibility for monitoring air quality and enforcing regulations is usually delegated to the local air districts.
Do I need a Permit?
Answer the question prompts below to determine if a permit is needed for your operation. Click on a topic below to jump directly to that section or scroll down the page to work through each topic.
Stationary Diesel Engines
Answer the question below to determine if this permit is relevant to your operation:
Click here to review additional background information before answering the questions.
Question:
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Do you have a diesel fired emergency standby generator engine; a diesel fired emergency firewater pump engine, or other diesel engine? (Agricultural wind machines or tractors or harvesters are excluded.)
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Are any of the diesel engines 50 horsepower or greater?
If yes to both questions, you may require a permit from your local air district and need to comply with the State’s Stationary Diesel Engine Air Toxic Control Measures. This may involve simply registering your engines.
For more information:
Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
Answer the question below to determine if this permit is relevant to your operation:
Question:
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Does your facility maintain a fueling area that includes gasoline dispensing?
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Do you use this gasoline facility to fuel vehicles other than farm equipment? (This includes trucks and over-the-road vehicles that transport farm equipment.)
If yes to both questions, contact your local air district to determine if you need a permit.
For more information:
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A map that shows the Air District Boundaries can be used to access local air district websites or an email address for that district if there is no website.
Mobile Vehicle Emissions
Answer the question below to determine if this permit is relevant to your operation:
Question:
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Does the operation have four (4) or more forklifts, sweepers, scrubbers, or industrial tow tractors with large spark ignition (LSI) engines of 25 horsepower (19 KW) or greater? (Agricultural fleets are not required to comply with the fleet average, but must address all 1990 and new uncontrolled forklifts)
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Do you have several facilities, that together maintain 4 or more LSI engines of 25 horsepower or greater?
If yes to either question, follow directions on the Air Resources Control Board’s website to calculate a baseline inventory, determine if your LSI average fleet emissions is within the appropriate range.
Fugitive Dust Control
Consult your local air district for the regulations regarding the control of fugitive dust and other airborne particulate matter (PM).
For more information:
Your local air district may have Fugitive Dust Rules, which prohibit the transport of dust off of your property and requires you to “take every reasonable precaution to minimize emissions.” Other districts may use the State Nuisance Law or the Visible Emissions/Opacity rule to regulate fugitive dust emissions. Some districts may attach dust control measures to your Permit to Operate and require Conservation Management Plans and Dust Control Plans.
Check with your local air district for requirements. A map that shows the Air District Boundaries can be used to access local air district websites or an email address for that district if there is no website: https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/capcoa/dismap.htm
Background:
Airborne particulate matter (PM) can be made up of many different solid and liquid components. Particles are defined by their diameter for air quality regulatory purposes. Particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10) can cause adverse health effects when inhaled. Particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) or less are a subset of PM10 and are considered more dangerous than PM10. Fugitive dust is one component of airborne particulate matter.
Burn Permits & Smoke Management Program
Consult your local air district for the regulations regarding the control of fugitive dust and other airborne particulate matter (PM).
Questions:
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Is agricultural burning conducted to dispose of agriculture waste generated in the process of growing of crops?
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Is land management burning conducted to dispose of woody waste cleared from ranch lands?
If yes to either question, contact your local air district for a burn permit which are allowed only on Permissive Burn Days, which are issued based on the forecast of air quality and meteorological conditions that can affect smoke dispersion. Also, you may need to check with the local Fire District to make sure conditions are safe for burning and to obtain any required Fire District permits.
For more information:
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The permissibility of burning is determined by your local air district and is posted on their website by 3:00pm the preceding day. An Agricultural Burn Permit must be obtained before any burning takes place.
Background Information:
Regulation in Practice – What it Means for You:
There are different kinds of emissions. “Criteria pollutants” are emissions that have been recognized in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) because they have serious detrimental effects on human health and the environment. The six criteria pollutants are: lead, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur oxides. The EPA regulates levels of these substances based on studies examining their effects on human health or the environment. Of particular importance to vineyards are NOx and PM, which are generated during fuel combustion for diesel engines and other internal combustion engines.
Visit the Vineyard Resources page for additional information on vineyard air quality.