Southwest District Air Resource Management

Southwest District Air Resource Management administers the state of Florida’s ambient air pollution control programs and implements the Federal Clean Air Act and state of Florida statutes in eight counties (Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk). The goal is to attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality standards (NAAQS) while ensuring that economic growth will occur in a manner consistent with the preservation of natural resources. To ensure compliance with the NAAQS, the district controls air emissions and monitors air quality through the following programs.

Air Permitting

The air permitting staff is responsible for regulating most major and minor air pollution sources in the Southwest District. These permits specify emission limits and requirements for construction and operation. The Division of Air Resources Management in Tallahassee is responsible for permitting Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) facilities and administering the General Permits program. Air Resource Permitting in the Southwest District is delegated in Hillsborough County only to the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County - 813-627-2600 ext. 1276

Air Permitting Contact

Air Compliance

The Southwest District's primary regulatory objective is compliance with applicable environmental laws to protect human health and the environment. The air compliance staff handles the compliance assurance program for permitted facilities. This involves inspection of the sources, witnessing emissions and visible evaluation tests, reviewing test reports, reviewing annual operating reports and monitoring continuous emissions systems. We also provide compliance assistance to help facility representatives understand permit conditions.

Air Compliance Contact (submit air complaints or concerns)

Air Monitoring

The primary purpose of Ambient Air Monitoring is to ensure compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards as required by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, for the principal pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. Air monitoring staff maintains and operates six department air monitoring stations that measure airborne sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and ozone levels. The Office of Air Monitoring continuously monitors ground level ozone and sulfur dioxide at the Sikes Elementary School in Lakeland. The office also continuously monitors ground level ozone in San Antonio and in Holiday, ozone and particulate matter at the Baptist Children's Home in Lakeland, sulfur dioxide at Port Manatee, and particulate matter and sulfur dioxide at Crystal River. View the air quality data at other monitoring sites in Florida.