Proposed Rule 444.1; Proposed Amended Rule (PAR) 401; PAR 404; PAR 405; PAR 219; and PAR 222
Summary
SCH Number
2026060251
Public Agency
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Document Title
Proposed Rule 444.1; Proposed Amended Rule (PAR) 401; PAR 404; PAR 405; PAR 219; and PAR 222
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/5/2026
Document Description
PR 444.1, PAR 401, PAR 404, PAR 405, PAR 219, and PAR 222 (proposed project) provide a pathway for air curtain incinerators (ACIs) and prescribed fire vehicles to be used for wildfire prevention and to reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions from forestry and agricultural waste. The proposed project will partially implement Best Control Measure 20: Application of All Feasible Measures (BCM-20) from the South Coast Air Basin Attainment Plan for the 2012 Annual PM2.5 Standard and objectives in Chapter 5e of the Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV) Community Emission Reduction Plan (CERP) by allowing and regulating the use of alternative, lower emitting, vegetative fuel reduction technologies, compared to the open burning of forestry and agricultural waste. PR 444.1 establishes requirements for ACIs and prescribed fire vehicles used to reduce vegetative waste. PAR 401, PAR 404 and PAR 405 include an exemption to allow the use of technologies regulated by PR 444.1. PAR 219 includes an exemption for some ACIs, prescribed fire vehicles, and associated air pollution control equipment not subject to Title V from South Coast AQMD permitting requirements. PAR 222 includes a requirement for ACIs and prescribed fire vehicles that are exempt from permitting to be registered with the South Coast AQMD. Allowing the use of ACIs and prescribed fire vehicles within South Coast AQMD jurisdiction will support wildfire prevention efforts and protect public safety by providing additional tools that are capable of reducing vegetative waste with fewer PM emissions than other technologies.
Full Title: Proposed Rule 444.1 Particulate Matter Emission Reductions from Forestry and Agricultural Waste (PR 444.1); Proposed Amended Rule 401 Visible Emissions (PAR 401); Proposed Amended Rule 404 Particulate Matter Concentration (PAR 404); Proposed Amended Rule 405 Solid Particulate Matter - Weight (PAR 405); Proposed Amended Rule 219 Equipment Not Requiring a Written Permit Pursuant to Regulation II (PAR 219); and Proposed Amended Rule 222 Filing Requirements for Specific Emission Sources Not Requiring a Written Permit Pursuant to Regulation II (PAR 222)
Contact Information
Name
Sina Taghvaee
Agency Name
South Coast AQMD
Job Title
Air Quality Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino
Regions
Countywide
Other Information
The proposed project is located within the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (South Coast AQMD) jurisdiction, which includes the four-county South Coast Air Basin (all of Orange County and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties), and the Riverside County portion of the Salton Sea Air Basin and the non-Palo Verde, Riverside County portion of the Mojave Desert Air Basin.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15269(c)
Reasons for Exemption
South Coast AQMD, as Lead Agency, has reviewed the proposed project (PR 444.1, PAR 401, PAR 404, PAR 405, PAR 219, and PAR 222) pursuant to: 1) CEQA Guidelines Section 15002(k) – General Concepts, the three-step process for deciding which document to prepare for a project subject to CEQA; and 2) CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 – Review for Exemption, procedures for determining if a project is exempt from CEQA. The proposed project seeks to reduce and manage vegetative fuel loads of forestry and agricultural waste in order to prevent wildfires and protect public safety by allowing the use of optional ACIs and prescribed fire vehicles, which have fewer PM emissions than what would occur by conducting open burning. Thus, the proposed project consists of actions necessary to prevent or mitigate wildfire-related emergency conditions which are statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(c) – Emergency Projects: Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency.
County Clerks
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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