Written by Greg Moberly, The Union

A regional summit addressing the area’s air quality concerns is on the horizon after Grass Valley city leaders unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday stating the problem with Sacramento pollution transported into the foothills. Tuesday’s approval came after some citizens voiced concerns last month with the resolution’s original language.

“A lot of those things that were objectionable were removed,” said Councilwoman Lisa Swarthout.

Specifically, the new resolution excludes an earlier draft’s statement referring to ozone pollution in Nevada County as “significantly worse” than areas commonly associated with poor air, including New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and most other U.S. cities.

“I moved here in January and thought it was going to be a great place to raise a family,” said Paul Frederickson. But he said what he learned about the area’s air quality disturbs him.

“The way you have it is very good,” Frederickson said referring to the resolution and the plan for a summit.

Federal, state, regional and local officials all would be part of the regional air quality summit, according to the resolution. No date for the summit is set.

As stated at last month’s meeting and again Tuesday, Frederickson and others said they know people who left or are thinking of leaving Grass Valley because of air quality concerns.

“Where are these people moving to?” Councilman Dan Miller asked no one in particular. “Portland,” someone in Tuesday’s council audience responded.