An industrial source permit program constitutes the cornerstone of the District's regulatory effort. Those permits provide a yardstick to measure individual source performance, and also provide each operator with a compliance road map. To assess anticipated impact of emissions, even before issuing a permit, the District maintains a computer modeling system. A field inspection program verifies compliance with permit conditions, and also cross-checks that the permit is complete and adequate. Particularly for smaller sources, the District's permitting and inspection programs effectively amount to a small business assistance program, helping such sources understand and meet their obligations under the law.

An Earthmoving Activity Registration Program was initiated to reduce complaints and particulate matter emissions from construction sites. The registration provides each owner/contractor a choice of control measures and work practices to diminish the impact of dust emissions from construction activities. An Annual Block Registration is available for applicants conducting routine construction operations (the expansion or extension of utilities, paved roads, unpaved roads, road shoulders, and/or alleys, and public right-of-ways at non-contiguous sites).

To provide a foundation for knowingly managing future growth, the District collects annual inventory reports, reflecting actual emissions. The District operates a County-wide monitoring network, which verifies that local air quality actually meets relevant standards.

The District maintains an open burning permit program, which helps minimize local nuisances and possible toxic impacts.

The District responds to citizen complaints, which most often involve nuisance complaints of varying types (e.g. fugitive dust, open burning, odors). Generally, we try to resolve such matters on an informal basis. The District maintains an enforcement capacity, to force compliance where lesser measures prove inadequate.

The District maintains an asbestos removal/demolition notification program, which administers regulations designed to minimize the release of asbestos fibers during the renovation and demolition of commercial facilities.

The District coordinates a Travel Reduction Program. The Program is mandatory in Area A for employers with 50 or more employees.

Program Goals: The Division aims to protect the public while minimizing the economic and practical burdens on businesses and others. The Division strives to informally resolve issues where possible, and to formally enforce laws and regulations where necessary. The Division intends to provide a full range of air quality services in a cost effective manner.

Community Impact: The Division protects the public and improves the quality of life in Pinal County. The Division protects the public by assuring that sources of air pollution do not threaten public health. The Division improves quality of life by working to resolve nuisance level air quality problems.