TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Transcription

1 2008 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission Message from the Board The Year in Review Summary of Year End Financial Report Map of FAP Airshed and Monitors Summary of Key Technical Data Exceedences in FAP Airshed Alberta Regional Comparisons FAP Board and Subcommittees FAP Staff and Contracted Staff Recognition of Partners and Sponsors GLOSSARY OF TERMS AAAQO - Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objective AENV AIHA AQI CASA CO CWS EIA FAP H 2 S - Alberta Environment - Alberta s Industrial Heartland Association - Air Quality Index - Clean Air Strategic Alliance - Carbon Monoxide - Canada Wide Standards - Environmental Impact Assessment - Fort Air Partnership (registered as Fort Saskatchewan Regional Air Monitoring Society - Hydrogen Sulphide NAPS NCIA NH 3 NO 2 O 3 PM 2.5 PM 10 - National Air Pollution Surveillance - Northeast Capital Industrial Association - Ammonia - Nitrogen dioxide - Ozone - Respirable Particulate Matter - Inhalable Particulate Matter QA/QC - Quality assurance/ Quality control SO 2 VOC - Sulphur Dioxide - Volatile Organic Compounds For definitions of terms, go to:

3 MISSION To generate and provide comprehensive and credible air quality information to the public, industries and government. I am pleased to present the 2008 Annual Report to the Community on behalf of the Fort Air Partnership (FAP Board of Directors. This year was a time of change and challenge, and I appreciate the efforts and support of our volunteer board, committee members and contracted staff. Although we operated without an executive director in 2008, FAP was able to fulfill its responsibilities as well as strengthen the core of the organization. FAP s Board and committee members were instrumental to making this happen as they contributed many hours of volunteer service. In particular, I d like to recognize our Treasurer who developed strong fiscal accountability and financial control systems in As well, FAP s Executive Committee worked hard to define the staffing needs of the organization and acquired resources to add two new contracted positions: a technical director and a communications director. MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD FAP improved its monitoring network in We added 10 passive monitoring sites, installed internet access at our stations, and updated monitoring equipment. FAP responded to Alberta Environment audit recommendations, and participated in the development of an Ozone Management Plan for the Capital Region. Technical network specifications and monitoring results are presented in detail in the 2008 Technical Annual Report. FAP worked hard to extend our communications outreach in We produced and distributed several new information materials in the past year: the 2007 Annual Report to the Community, an Air Quality Monitoring document, and Making It Clear, a series of fact sheets on air quality. FAP made presentations to Lamont County Council and other groups, and plans to increase its public presence in the coming year. We welcomed the addition of two new public members to our Board in 2008, and look forward to having an Executive Director to work with us as the Board continues its transition to a governance body in Public feedback is very helpful to us; we encourage you to contact FAP with any questions, suggestions or concerns so that we may continue to respond to the needs of the community. Keith Purves, Chair 1 Fort Air Partnership Board of Directors: Melanie Larsen, Technical Director; Laurie Danielson, NCIA; Ludmilla Rodriguez, Capital Health; Carrie Trenholm, Public Member; Keith Purves, Chair; Yolanta Leszczynski, Treasurer; Deb Nelson, Public Member; John Navratil, Public Member; Ed Van Delden, AIHA; John Cocchio, Secretary. Missing: Richard Chabaylo, AENV; Neil Shelly, AIHA.

4 FORT AIR PARTNERSHIP THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2 Fort Air Partnership (FAP is a registered not for profit society established in 1997 to operate an air monitoring network in a 4,500 square kilometer area that includes Fort Saskatchewan, Gibbons, Bon Accord, Bruderheim, Lamont, Redwater, Waskatenau, Thorhild and Elk Island National Park. FAP is a multi-stakeholder group with members from industry, government and the public residing in the airshed. We see the benefit of sitting together at the same table and working through issues related to our mission to generate and provide comprehensive and credible air quality information to the public, industries and government. We hold regular monthly meetings, which are open to the public. In 2000, FAP became the fourth airshed in Alberta recognized by the Clean Air Strategy Alliance (CASA and, in 2003, FAP began reporting air quality data. (ABOVE Members of FAP s Technical Working Group review an air quality issue at a monitoring station. (CENTRE Making It Clear is a series of fact sheets on air quality monitoring and management that were developed by Fort Air Partnership and Alberta Environment. (TOP RIGHT FAP added ten passive monitors to its network in 2008 for a total of 56 passive monitors and eight monitoring stations. In 2008, Fort Air Partnership (FAP expanded its monitoring network and explained its role in the community as the organization responsible for monitoring and reporting ambient air quality data to the public, industry and government. FAP also strengthened its relationships with municipalities and other regional organizations, Alberta s eight other airsheds and Alberta Environment (AENV. FAP s Monitoring Network FAP operates a network of eight continuous monitoring stations and 56 passive monitoring sites that collectively measure air quality in the region. Until September 2008, FAP also operated a temporary monitoring station between Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan to measure trans-boundary effects on ambient air quality. In 2008, FAP added 10 passive monitoring sites, and implemented internet communications and equipment updates at our continuous monitoring stations. The startup of a proposed ninth permanent monitoring station located in the Town of Bruderheim has been delayed until This station will monitor several pollutants, including ozone, and will also report the Air Quality Index. FAP s monitoring station instruments are zeroed daily, calibrated monthly and audited by Alberta Environment annually in accordance with the Alberta Environment Air Monitoring Directive. A quality assurance plan details the process by which data is collected and reported. FAP s monitoring program will undergo a major review in 2009 to evaluate the needs of industrial growth and public expectation. Reporting FAP continues to submit near real time monitoring data to Alberta Environment for public viewing at In 2008, FAP reduced the time it takes to submit validated data to the province-wide CASA Data Warehouse from 45 to 30 days ( FAP also reports exceedances of Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives and submits monthly ambient air quality monitoring reports to Alberta Environment. In 2008, FAP developed a detailed Technical Annual Report, available on FAP s website ( It was designed to meet the annual government reporting requirements, document the current monitoring network details, and present a summary of monitoring results for the year.

5 Planning for Ozone Management During 2008, FAP stepped beyond its traditional monitoring and reporting role when Alberta Environment asked FAP and four other airsheds to develop ozone management plans. Fort Air Partnership, West Central Airshed, Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance and AENV worked together to develop the Capital Airshed Partnership Ozone Management Plan, which was completed in December This document addresses oxides of nitrogen emissions (precursors of ozone from electrical power generation, industry and transportation sectors. This initiative is aimed at keeping Alberta ambient ozone levels below national standards. FAP Communications and Outreach Key communications activities in 2008 included the widespread distribution of a 2007 Annual Report to the Community, an Air Quality Monitoring document, and six fact sheets in the Making It Clear series on air quality monitoring and management practices in Alberta. This series is being developed in partnership with Alberta Environment. These print materials were mailed to residents and stakeholders in November 2008 and continue to be distributed. FAP also made presentations to municipal councils and other groups, conducted a number of media interviews, and met with regional organizations to discuss issues and joint communications initiatives. Air: Our Invisible Connection, FAP s educational materials, developed in 2006, continue to be a resource for schools in the region. They were designed to complement the Grades 7 and 9 curricula.fap responds to resident inquiries about its role as an airshed and air quality in the region, and refers people to appropriate organizations if their concerns are not related to FAP s mandate. FAP s website offers access to reports and detailed air quality information, including real time reporting of ambient air quality data collected in the region. In addition, FAP provides a weekly update on the Air Quality Index to the Sturgeon Creek Post. FAP s People FAP s Board of Directors welcomed two new public members in The Board continues to provide leadership and services. A team of Board members evaluated the staffing needs of the organization and acquired the resources necessary for an executive director, technical director and communications director. Although FAP operated without an executive director in 2008, the dedicated efforts of our staff and volunteers on the Board and FAP committees enabled us to meet our commitments. For More Information about FAP: Please contact FAP directly if you have questions, concerns, or comments about air quality and air monitoring in the region. Comments are always helpful to assess whether we are meeting the needs of the community. The public is welcome to attend our board meetings, which are generally held on the second Monday evening of each month. For more information, contact us at or by at info@fortairmail.org. 3

6 2008 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FORT SASKATCHEWAN REGIONAL AIR MONITORING SOCIETY (FAP The following statement of financial position as at December 31, 2008 and the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 were prepared without audit or review by Brian D. Kelly, Chartered Accountant on February 5, These statements were compiled from information provided by FAP. A FAP Internal Audit Committee conducted a review of bank statements, cash disbursements, cash receipts, and equipment purchase records as well as the general ledger and concluded that documentation is representative of the 2008 financial transactions STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31/12/2008 ASSETS CURRENT Cash $ 315,909 Accounts Receivable 254,260 Prepaid expenses 1,170 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 571, 339 EQUIPMENT Air monitoring equipment 90,625 Computer and office equipment 11,177 TOTAL ASSETS $ 673,141 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 126,251 Deferred contributions 130,000 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 256,251 NET ASSETS Net assets invested in equipment 101,802 Internally restricted net assets 79,000 Unrestricted net assets 236,088 TOTAL NET ASSETS $ 416,890 TOTAL LIABILITIES and NET ASSETS $ 673,141

7 1.2. STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 2008/01/01 TO 2008/12/31 GRANTS AND OTHER REVENUE Northeast Capital Industrial Association $ 680,383 Alberta Environment- Grant 75,650 Alberta s Industrial Heartland Association 32,000 Interest income 749 TOTAL REVENUE $ 788,782 EXPENSES BOARD/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR $ 118,085 OFFICE AND OTHER 40,205 COMMUNICATIONS 32,391 AIR QUALITY MONITORING Continuous stations 295,069 Regional Air Dispersion Modeling Project 2,911 Passive monitoring 93,422 TOTAL AIR QUALITY MONITORING 391,402 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 582,083 5 EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES $ 206,699

8 6 51 FORT AIR PARTNERSHIP PASSIVE AND CONTINUOUS MONITORING STATIONS

9 57 Disclaimer: This map is intended to provide a geographical representation of features understood to be as accurate as possible based on the date of creation &/or revision. This map should be used for general reference purposes only and any other reliance on, other than for reference purposes, is not recommended. Fort Air Partnership and its data contributors will not be held responsible for errors &/or omissions. Map created : April 16, 2008 Continuous monitoring stations provide hourly data on wind speed and direction, and concentrations of specific pollutants. Passive monitoring stations collect a monthly average concentrations for specific pollutants. 7

10 SUMMARY OF KEY TECHNICAL DATA - ANNUAL AVERAGES Ozone Concentrations Isopleth using Kriging Interpolation Annual Average: 2008 Passive Data (in parts per billion Disclaimer: This Isopleth graph is an interpretation of passive monitoring data and is not actual data points (ppb 7 8 A Annual Average Ozone (O Continuous Monitoring Data Lamont Elk Island Fort Saskatchewan Annual Average O 3 (ppb

11 Sulphur Dioxide Concentrations Isopleth using Kriging Interpolation Annual Average: 2008 Passive Data (in parts per billion Disclaimer: This Isopleth graph is an interpretation of passive monitoring data and is not actual data points (ppb Annual Average Sulphur Dioxide (SO Continuous Monitoring Data Redwater (Agrium Lamont Range Road 220 Ross Creek AAAQO Scotford 2 Fort Saskatchewan Elk Island Annual Average SO2 (ppb

12 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 Concentrations Isopleth using Kriging Interpolation Annual Average: 2008 Passive Data (in parts per billion Disclaimer: This Isopleth graph is an interpretation of passive monitoring data and is not actual data points (ppb A Annual Average Nitrogen Dioxide (NO Continuous Monitoring Data Fort Saskatchewan Ross Creek Range Road 220 Redwater (Agrium Station 401-Josephburg Rd AAAQO Lamont Elk Island Annual Average NO2(ppb

13 Annual Average Fine Particulate Matter (PM Continuous Monitoring Data Redwater (Agrium Lamont Fort Saskatchewan Elk Island Network Average Instrument Uptime Uptime (% Annual Average PM 2.5 (µg/m Air Quality Index in FAP region in Year EXCEEDENCES IN FAP AIRSHED

14 ALBERTA REGIONAL COMPARISONS BASED ON CONTINUOUS DATA 2008 Annual Average Sulphur Dioxide (SO 2 SO 2 Concentration (ppb AAAQO = 11 ppb Annual Average Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 12 NO 2 Concentration (ppb PM2.5 Concentration (ug/m Annual Average Particulate Matter (PM Annual Average Ozone (O AAAQO = 32 ppb O3 Concentration (ppb Caroline Lamont Tomahawk 2008 Annual Maximum Ozone (O 3 Lethbridge Beaverlodge Cold Lake South Fort Saskatchewan Edmonton East Calgary Central 2 Edmonton Ozone Concentration (ppb Lamont Tomahawk Fort Saskatchewan Beaverlodge Caroline Edmonton Central Edmonton East AAAQO =82 ppb Lethbridge Cold Lake South Calgary Central 2

15 FORT AIR PARTNERSHIP BOARD AND STAFF AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 Executive Keith Purves Chair, Public Member Warren Sarchuk, Vice-Chair, ENGO member (to September 08 Yolanta Leszczynski Treasurer, Industry Member John Cocchio Secretary, Industry Member Directors Richard Chabaylo Alberta Environment Member Laurie Danielson NCIA Member John Navratil Public Member Debra Nelson Public Member (as of March 08 Ludmilla Rodriguez Capital Health Member Neil Shelly Alberta s Industrial Heartland Member Carrie Trenholm Public Member (as of December 08 Ed van Delden Alberta s Industrial Heartland Member Sincere thanks for the thousands of hours of volunteer board and committee time. Contracted Staff and Services Melanie Larsen Acting Executive Director (as of March 08 Technical Director (as of April 1 08 Andrea Collins Communications Director AGAT Laboratories North Design Group Communications Subcommittee Keith Purves Chair, Public Member Yayne-abeba Aklilu Alberta Environment (to June 2008 Andrea Collins FAP Communications Director Melanie Larsen Acting Executive Director Jana Tolmie-Thompson Alberta Industrial Heartland Association Technical Working Group Melanie Larsen Chair, FAP Technical Director Shane Adam AGAT Laboritories Yayne-abeba Aklilu Alberta Environment Doug Bertsch NorthWest Upgrading Nadine Blaney Alberta Environment Marcella dejong Dow Chemical Canada Murray Eliuk Alberta Environment Ben Kampala Total E & P Canada Ltd. THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS Fort Air Partnership would like to thank the following partners and funders for their continued support: Alberta Environment ( Alberta s Industrial Heartland Association ( Northeast Capital Industrial Association ( Monique Lapalme Environment Canada Darren Morissette AGAT Laboratories Jennifer Nisbet Sherritt International Corporation Matt Nordstrom AGAT Maurice Ouellet Shell Canada Keith Purves Fort Air Partnership Kristofer Siriunas Alberta Energy and Utilities Board Darcy Walberg Agrium Inc. Ludmilla Rodriguez Capital Health 13 PROJECT SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS Alberta Environment provided the hardware for the passive monitor network; conducted audits of station operations, calibrator equipment and gas; and loaned FAP the Portable Air Monitor Laboratory. The Vanhecke family agreed to have the portable laboratory on their land until September Alberta Environment provided the resources to develop a set of six fact sheets on air quality. Shell Chemicals Canada Ltd. provided funding for specialized analyzer training. Strathcona County contributed maps. Comments from neighbours and interested residents help us improve our website and communications.

16 FAP REPORTS AND RESOURCES Fort Air Partnership collects and distributes the following information: Air quality updates from our eight continuous and 56 passive monitoring stations Educational resources for teachers, students and parents Making It Clear, a series of fact sheets on air quality Reports, resources and other information about air quality, and FAP s role in monitoring and reporting air quality. To access this information, go to our website, or call Please note: A detailed 2008 Technical Annual Report has also been compiled and is available at or by calling P.O. Box 3051 Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2T1 P: F: E: info@fortairmail.org