Shasta County air board: district monitors ozone and particulates, cannot regulate aircraft emissions or investigate alleged 'chemtrails'

Shasta County Air Pollution Control Officer Sean Ewing told the Air Pollution Control Board on March 11 that the local air district is responsible for stationary-source permitting, monitoring ozone and particulate matter and adopting rules to meet state and federal ambient air standards — but it does not have authority to regulate aircraft emissions or to unilaterally investigate airborne substances beyond the pollutants the state requires.

The presentation, delivered during the regular morning meeting of the Shasta County Air Pollution Control Board, followed public comments in which three residents raised concerns about so-called "chemtrails" and potential links between atmospheric spraying and local health problems. The board then approved its consent calendar items C1 and C2 by a 5-0 vote.

Ewing, the district's air pollution control officer, summarized the district's history, statutory duties and current operations. He said the district — which began as a committee in 1959 and was activated by resolution in 1970 — issues permits for stationary and area sources, enforces district rules, responds to complaints and operates ambient-air monitoring…