Asbestos is commonly found in ultramafic rock, including serpentine, near fault zones and is released into the air when it is broken or crushed. This can happen when land is graded for building purposes, or at quarrying operations. The California Air Resources Board has identified NOA as a toxic air contaminant. NOA may result in the development of lung cancer or other health impacts if inhaled. Work in serpentine areas requires a District pre-approved dust control plan and may include asbestos air monitoring.
In San Luis Obispo County, serpentine rock is located in many regions of the county including: coastal, coastal mountain, western north county, and the extreme eastern county area along the San Andreas Fault. Under the California Air Resources Board's Air Toxics Control Measure (NOA ATCM) for Construction, Grading, Quarrying, and Surface Mining Operations, prior to any grading activities at a site within the green “buffer” areas on the District NOA map, the Owner or Operator will be required to comply with the NOA ATCM. For projects within the suspect NOA area, the following requirements apply.
For grading projects qualifying for NOA ATCM exemption:
For grading projects in serpentine rock less than 1 acre:
For grading projects in serpentine rock greater than 1 acre:
NOA Fees
The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (District) will assess Review Fees for all work that has the potential to disturb soil containing Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA).
NOA Project Review Fee amounts depend upon the project size and if projects involve disturbance of asbestos serpentine and include dust mitigation plans or air monitoring. Exemptions from requirements are available based on geological evaluation. Please refer to the fee schedule for more information.
NOA Forms & Other Reference Documents
Project (page 1) and Exemption (page 2) Forms and Fees (page 3)
Air Toxic Control Measure (ATCM)
California Geological Survey
Air Resources Board