Environmental

MAG is designated as the air quality planning agency for Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County. In this role, MAG develops regional air quality plans to address air pollution problems.

As the designated regional water quality management planning agency for Maricopa County, MAG develops and maintains the MAG 208 Water Quality Management Plan. The plan describes the desired wastewater treatment system to serve the needs of the region over a 20 year time period.

MAG is the designated regional solid waste management planning agency for Maricopa County. The advisory committee reviews and comments on solid waste information generated during planning processes and provides recommendations, and partakes in planning activities.

As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region, MAG performs air quality conformity analysis on regional transportation plans and transportation improvement plans for Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County, as required by the Clean Air Act.

MAG conducts the regional air quality modeling for carbon monoxide, ozone and particulate matter in accordance with the Clean Air Act to prove attainment and maintenance of federal air quality standards and evaluate control measure efficacy.

MAG conducts evaluations to estimate emission reductions and cost-effectiveness of CMAQ improvement projects that help nonattainment and maintenance areas comply with air quality standards.

Excessive ground-level ozone concentrations can be harmful to public health. Meeting the federal air quality standard for ozone is not only critical for our public health, but also for the economic vitality of our region. Over the past decade, managing and reducing regional ozone concentrations has become an increasingly complex problem.

MAG, in coordination with air quality partners at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Arizona Department of Transportation, Maricopa County, and Pinal County, has an impressive record in improving air quality.