CMAQ Air Quality Program

Draft Air Quality Conformity Analysis

Documents for Public Comment

under the Clean Air Act (CAA), Berrien County is currently designated as being in non-attainment for ozone.  Cass County is currently labeled as a "orphan Maintenance Area.  This means that Cass county is currently in attainment but  has been in nonattainment in the past.

Due to this both Berrien and Cass counties must have an Air Quality Conformity analysis documents. For Berrien Country the conformity must show the predicted emissions impacts of planned transportation projects. These impacts are compared to the counties emissions budget as laid out in the State Implementation Plan (SIP).  New Air Quality Conformity Analysis for Berrien and Cass County have been published on May 11, 2022 to reflect the planned projects contained in the NATS 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program & the TwinCATS 023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program.  Based on the analysis Berrien County is not expected to exceed its emission budget. These plans will be open for public comment until they are approved by the SWMPC Board on June 21, 2022.  Questions or Comments about transportation Air Quality conformity can be sent to please contact Brandon Kovnat at kovnatb@swmpc.org or 269-925-1137 x 1524.

• Berrien County Air Quality Conformity Analysis 
• Cass County Transportation Conformity Determination Report  

CMAQ

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) is a federal funding source created to assist areas in attaining or maintaining air quality standards under the Clean Air Act, by reducing mobile transportation emissions.  In Michigan, the CMAQ program is administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).  

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All CMAQ projects must meet three eligibility requirements:
· Have a transportation focus
· Reduce air emissions
· Be located in or benefits a non-attainment or maintenance area