The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is a government agency responsible for regulating air pollution in the South Coast Air Basin region of California, which includes Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Its mission is to maintain healthy air quality for the millions of people who live and work in the region, while also minimizing the impact of air pollution on the natural environment. The SCAQMD was established in 1976 and is governed by a board of 13 members, including the mayors of the largest cities in the region, county supervisors, and gubernatorial appointees. The agency is further divided into various departments and programs that oversee specific areas of air quality management, including air quality monitoring and data analysis, emissions reduction programs, permitting and enforcement, and scientific research. Over the years, the SCAQMD has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce air pollution in the region, including regulations on emissions from cars, trucks, and industrial facilities, incentives for the use of clean energy and transportation alternatives, public education campaigns, and partnerships with other agencies and organizations. These efforts have contributed to significant improvements in air quality and reductions in harmful pollutants such as particulate matter and ozone.