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Dust Sources, Control, and Training
Dust Control
To sign up for a dust control certification course, please visit mcaqd.learningcart.com. In addition please review the Learning Cart Registration Instructions for additional step-by-step instructions on registering for a dust control training course.
General dust control training questions can be directed to AQTraining@maricopa.gov or call the department's training line at 602-372-1467.
There are three types of sites or activities governed by Maricopa County dust control regulations: traditional dust-generating activities; non-traditional dust-generating activities; and gravel, concrete, and asphalt related activities.Traditional Dust-Generating Activities (Rule 310)
Any activity capable of generating fugitive dust (such as construction, earthmoving, demolition, or weed abatement), regardless of the size of the site, must comply with Rule 310 and control sources of dust. In addition, a dust control permit is required by Rule 310 (PDF) for many types of sites, such as:
- Activities that will disturb a surface area equal to or greater than .10 acre (4,356 square feet)
- Bulk material handling
- The demolition of buildings (A NESHAP notification may also be required for the demolition of a regulated facility. See our Asbestos page for more information.)
For assistance with dust recordkeeping requirements, see our Business Assistance Resources page.
For more information, view the Dust Abatement Field Guide (PDF). (También disponible en español). You can also watch the Construction Dust Control Video, also available in Spanish.
Non-Traditional Dust-Generating Activities (Rule 310.01)
Sources of dust that must comply with Rule 310.01 (PDF) include:
- Vehicle use in open areas and vacant lots,
- Open areas and vacant lots,
- Unpaved parking lots,
- Unpaved roadways (including alleys),
- Livestock activities,
- Erosion-caused deposition of bulk materials onto paved surfaces,
- Easements, rights-of-way, and access roads for utilities (transmission of electricity, natural gas, oil, water, and gas).
See our Vacant Lots, Paved and Unpaved Areas page for more information.
Gravel, Concrete, Asphalt Related Activities (Rule 316)
Processing plants that mine, excavate, separate, combine, crush or grind any nonmetallic mineral are governed by Rule 316. ‘Nonmetallic minerals’ includes (but is not limited to) crushed and broken stone, sand and gravel, clay, rock salt, gypsum, sodium compounds, and mixtures of these minerals such as concrete and asphalt.
Some types of facilities or activities governed by Rule 316 are:
- Crushing and screening of nonmetallic minerals
- Sand and gravel operations
- Asphalt plants
- Concrete batch plants
A permit is required for all types of facilities and activities governed by Rule 316. Stationary sources within Maricopa County and portable sources that operate exclusively within Maricopa County must obtain permits from the department. Portable sources that operate in both Maricopa County and other counties must obtain a permit from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Rule 316 Resources
Rule 316 establishes emission limitations and requires the implementation of process controls and fugitive dust control measures for nonmetallic mineral processing plants, asphaltic concrete plants, concrete plants and/or bagging operations, as well as material storage and silo loading operations that occur at these facilities.
For a comprehensive overview of Rule 316 and how it may apply to your activities, see the Rule 316 Handbook (PDF). Permit applications, dust control plan forms, and operations and maintenance (O&M) plan forms are available on our Permits, Forms, and Applications page.