5.3 PROTECTING THE VIEWS IN THE LOWER FRASER VALLEY Julie Saxton Air Quality and Climate Change
The Visual Air Quality Issue Scenic vistas are highly prized by residents and visitors
Visual Air Quality Visual air quality describes the effect of air pollution on the view. It is a key element of the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan. GOAL 2 – Improve visual air quality
Visual Air Quality Impairment Particulate matter Fine particulate matter Primary Secondary
Visual Air Quality Examples 09 Jun 2014 09 Aug 2014 11 Aug 2014 PM 2.5 = 0.5 µ g/m 3 PM 2.5 = 20.6 µ g/m 3 PM 2.5 = 6.1 µ g/m 3 (24h = 2.1 µ g/m 3 ) (24h = 15.2 µ g/m 3 ) (24h = 7.1 µ g/m 3 )
Addressing the Problem Drivers: The BC Visibility • Canada-US agreement Coordinating • AQMPs Committee • LFV studies (BCVCC) • Complaints to AQ agencies
BC Visibility Coordinating Committee A multi-agency collaborative Environment Canada • Bruce Ainslie, Keith Jones, Robert Nissen, working cooperatively Andrew Teakles, Rita So, Roxanne Vingarzan towards developing a visual Health Canada • air quality management Patti Dods BC Ministry of Environment • framework for the Lower Markus Kellerhals, Glen Okrainetz, Earle Fraser Valley Plain, Steve Sakiyama, Eric Taylor, Graham Veale, Clean Communities Section Metro Vancouver • Ali Ergudenler, Laurie Bates-Frymel, James McQueen, Roger Quan, Ken Reid, Julie Saxton Fraser Valley Regional District • Rebecca Abernethy, Stacey Barker City of Kelowna •
Improving Visual Air Quality • Benefits to the economy • Improved visual air quality (by reducing PM) benefits health and the environment
Recording Visual Air Quality
Monitoring Equipment • Camera • Nephelometer • Aethalometer • Nitrogen dioxide • Relative humidity • PM 2.5 • Speciation
Measuring Visual Air Quality Views affected by – the nature of the scene, – cloud cover, – sun angle, – sky colour, – humidity, – levels of air pollution Visibility index (VAQR)
Visual Air Quality Rating 11660185
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