§ 58-88. Statement of intent.

(a)

The board of county commissioners finds that the growth in the amount, complexity, and concentration of air pollution in the county brought about by increasing urbanization, industrial development, and the increasing number and use of motor vehicles has resulted in mounting dangers to the public health and welfare, including injury to the public health, injury to agricultural crops and livestock, and damage to and deterioration of property.

(b)

It is the intent of the board of county commissioners to provide for the protection and enhancement of the air quality of the county in order to protect human health and safety and to prevent injury to plant and animal life and to property, foster the comfort and convenience of the citizens of the county, promote the economic and social development of this county, and facilitate the enjoyment of the natural attractions of this county. To these ends, it is the purpose of this article to provide for a coordinated program of air pollution prevention, abatement, and control in the county.

(c)

It is the intent of the board of county commissioners to provide the authority for the compliance and enforcement activities regarding this article and for any air quality permits issued by the department of environmental protection under chapter 62-210, Florida Administrative Code. It is not the intention of the board of county commissioners to perform compliance or enforcement activities on facilities owned or operated by the county.

(d)

It is the intent of the board of county commissioners as a department of environmental protection (DEP) approved local air program to act as the DEP's agent within the county to the extent that the department has delegated various state air program activities to the county.

(e)

It is the intent of the board of county commissioners to enter into and maintain a general operating agreement with DEP and an air program specific operating agreement with the Division of Air Resources Management, Southwest District office to specify the extent to which various air program activities have been delegated to the county.

(f)

It is the intent of the board of county commissioners to adopt by general reference the body of federal law governing air pollution abatement and prevention that is more specifically set forth in various sections throughout this article. The purpose and effect of any provisions of federal law adopted here in relation to Pinellas County shall be determined by the context in which it is applied. Procedural and substantive requirements in the incorporated federal laws are binding as a matter of county ordinance where the context so provides.

(Ord. No. 95-27, § 3(1.050), 4-18-95; Ord. No. 08-35, § 1, 6-17-08)