Local environmental groups active on air pollution issues have called on Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato to pledge to continue the county Health Department's Air Program and provide it with adequate funding and staffing to enforce air pollution regulations.

Clean Water Action and the Group Against Smog and Pollution delivered a letter to Mr. Onorato today, asking that he publicly commit to continuing the Allegheny County Health Department-run program, which he has criticized for being too tough on industry.

Mr. Onorato has said he is reviewing the operation of the Air Program and is considering, as one of several options, ending it and turning over its duties to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The letter urged him to hire a new, well-credentialed program director and to hold a public hearing before any decision is made to change or do away with the program.

"Residents deserve to be able to have their opinions heard on an issue that will affect their health, and their families' health," said Kathy Lawson, Western Pennsylvania director for Clean Water Action. "This should not be a decision made solely behind closed doors."

The letter also said Mr. Onorato should "ensure that qualified public health professionals are appointed to the Board of Health, a pointed reference to the appointment to the board of County Manager Jim Flynn. Mr. Flynn, along with health Department Executive Director Dr. Bruce Dixon, engineered administrative changes to the program two weeks ago that caused long-time Air Program manager Roger Westman to retire.

The program has been under fire for several months by the Onorato administration, which has charged that it takes too long to issue air pollution permits to industries. Officials are reviewing whether the county's pollution laws, which are stricter in some areas than state law, are necessary.

Neither Mr. Onorato nor his spokesman returned calls seeking comment on the letter today.