ADEQ OHV Dust Fact Sheet

The Clean Air Act (CAA) was established in 1990 to address the nation’s problems with air pollutants.  Through the CAA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set primary and secondary standards for the amounts of any pollutant that can be in the air anywhere in the United States.

On December 31, 2006, Area A (Area A means: The greater Phoenix metropolitan area, a portion of Pinal and a portion of Yavapai County) failed to reach attainment of the federal Particulate Matter at 10 microns or PM-10 health standards.

The Maricopa County nonattainment area is classified as basic and is required to reach attainment of the standard at all ozone monitors by June 15, 2009. 

The Arizona State Senate passed SB1552 in 2007 to help reduce PM-10 emissions and reduce the "brown cloud" over the Valley of the Sun. SB 1552 requires all municipalities and counties within Area A to pass very specific ordinances dealing with dust abatement. Several of these municipal ordinances include monitoring and/or ending the use of OHVs and leaf blowers within several communities in Area A.

Some of the state measures to combat PM-10 include a Dust-Free Certification program; paving or stabilizing dirt roads, alleys and shoulders; and banning or discouraging use of OHV’s and leaf blowers on High Pollution Advisory Days (HPA).

Safety of residents and the general threat to human health posed by the non-attainment of the EPA standards is the driving force behind new regulations being instituted within Area A.

More information will be released in the coming weeks, so check back to this page often.  And remember: Nature Rules! Stay on roads and trails.

Resources and more information: