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SAN JUAN AIR QUALITY FORUM
Overview:
The Forum was organized by the Mountain Studies Institute to increase understanding and communication regarding pressing air quality issues. The Forum was initiated in 2008 by a grant from U.S. EPA Region 8 and cooperative funding from San Juan Public Lands (USFS/BLM).
Individual community members and representatives of local government, agencies, industry, and watershed / community groups gather for the San Juan Air Quality Forum. MSI initiated this event to reach the following goals:
1) translate air quality science and policy so that non-experts can understand it, 2) facilitate informed discussion and decision-making, and 3) bring together diverse stakeholders in a problem-solving format.
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Dr. Koren Nydick discusses research on mercury in the Four Corners. |
2010 San Juan Air Quality Forum
May 6, Fort Lewis College Ballroom
Sponsored by the Colorado Department of Public Health, Mountain Studies Institute,
San Juan Basin Health Department, and USEPA Region 8
Agenda & Event Info (PDF)
No Regisration Fee
We had over 70 particpants! Thanks so much for the great discussion.
PRESENTATIONS FOR DOWNLOAD
Welcome, Introductions, Agenda Review and Definition of Air Toxics and Criteria
Pollutants, Lisa Silva (Colorado), Koren Nydick (MSI), Victoria Parker-Christensen (EPA Region 8) Welcome Presentation
The Special Category of “Air Toxics” Lisa Silva, Colorado
Woody Biomass - Regulatory & Public Health Issues, Catherine Roberts, EPA
EPA National Air Toxics Assessment for 2005, Victoria Parker-Christensen, EPA
Region 8; Lisa Silva, Colorado
Ozone Levels in Colorado & Proposed Ozone Standards, Mike Silverstein, Colorado
Ozone Injury in Plants, Koren Nydick, MSI
Regional Haze – Issues and State Planning Efforts, Mike Silverstein, Colorado
WRAP Phase III Emissions Inventory, Mark Jones, New Mexico Environment Department
Mercury Deposition and Mercury in the Food Chain of SW Colorado, Koren Nydick, MSI
Briefings (15 min. each) regarding:
Southern Ute School Monitoring (EPA )
Railroad/Rail Yard (Durango-Silverton) Emissions and Community Mitigation
Efforts, Laura Lewis Marchino, REgion 9 Economic Development
Garfield County Oil & Gas-Related Air Quality Issues, Paul Reaser, Garfield County
Oil & Gas vs Coal Bed Methane Development--Processes and Emissions, Mark
Weems
Emission Reductions via Low-Bleed Pneumatics at Separator Units, Steve
Folk, Red Willow Production Company
Diesel School Bus Emission Reduction Programs, Lisa Silva & Michael Wenstrom
Engines Off, Sabrina Williams, City of Denver
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2009 EVENT REPORT
Over 40 participants attended the 2009 Air Quality Forum, including concerned citizens, local government, state and tribal agencies, federal scientists, and industry. The Forum was funded by a grant from U.S. EPA Region 8 and cooperative funding from San Juan Public Lands (USFS/BLM).
The 2009 event included presentations related to issues associated with human health and air quality, ozone in relation to proposed changes in EPA standards, responses of agencies within the Four Corners to recent monitoring results, the complexities of regulating air quality in the Four Corners, the need to make air quality information more accessible, as well as current projects, concerns, and human health issues associated with Mercury in the Four Corners. A discussion panel addressed questions associated with ozone levels, human health, and potential mitigation techniques within the Four Corners.
The 2009 Air Quality Forum occurred on August 26 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Durango Public Library.
Registration Form
Questionnaire
8:30-8:55 Check-in and continental breakfast buffet (Durango Doughworks)
8:55–9:00 Welcome (Koren Nydick, Mountain Studies Institute)
Air Quality Issues and Effects
9:00-9:45 Impacts of Air Pollution on Lung Health (Natalia Swalnick, American Lung Association)
9:45-10:00 Four Corners Air Quality Projects (Mark Jones, NMED)
10:00-10:10 Break
10:10-10:40 Regional Air Quality Issues in the West (Patrick Cummins, Western Regional Air Partnership)
10:40-11:10 Air Quality on Tribal Lands (James Temte)
11:10-11:25 Break
11:25-11:55 Air Quality Jurisdictions in the Four Corners (Mike Eisenfeld & Eric Janes)
11:55-12:20 Ozone Levels and Data Availability (Aaron Kimple, Koren Nydick, MSI)
12:30-1:30 Deli-style lunch buffet (Elevated Fine Foods)
Atmospheric Deposition
1:30-2:00 Mercury in SW Colorado (Koren Nydick, MSI)
2:00-2:30 Mercury Levels in the Hair of Postpartum and Pregnant Women in the Four Corners Region (Dr. Faye Schrater, PhD)
2:30-4:30 Panel Discussion – moderated by the League of Women Voters
Jeremy Nichols (Wild Earth Guardians), Wally White (La Plata County Commissioner), Dana Wood (BP), Doug Blewitt (Consultant), James Temte (Southern Ute Indian Tribe), George San Miguel (Mesa Verde)
Discussion Question (PDF of Notes from discussion)
“Given recent recorded ozone levels and the potential for the ozone standard to be lowered below 75 ppb, what challenges and opportunities should organizations, constituencies and citizens be focused on?”
(The Four Corners Air Quality Group will met the next day, August 27, at the Durango Public Library.)
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2008 EVENT REPORT
Air Quality Forum for the Four Corners & San Juan Mountains
Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Fort Lewis College, College Union Building Ballroom, Durango, CO
The Forum was organized by the Mountain Studies Institute to increase understanding and communication regarding pressing air quality issues. Over 40 participants attended, including concerned citizens, local government, state and tribal agencies, federal scientists, and industry. The Forum was funded by a grant from U.S. EPA Region 8 and cooperative funding from San Juan Public Lands (USFS/BLM). Fort Lewis College provided the facility free of charge. We hope to make this an annual event.
The big news was the likelihood that NW New Mexico (and possibly SW Colorado) will become non-attainment areas for ozone under the new federal standard. Mercury also was a big issue as data suggest that the Four Corners may be a hotspot for mercury emissions and deposition. While mercury is a pressing issue, regulation of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants continues to be a challenge to policymakers. The Clean Mercury Rule was vacated on a federal level because it was not stringent enough and no other regulation has yet replaced it. The State of NM has decided to enforce it, however. Other topics discussed in the Forum include visibility and nitrogen deposition.
Air Quality Forum Agenda and Presentations
Click on the presentations below to view a pdf.
8:30-8:55 Check-in and continental breakfast buffet
8:55–9:00 Welcome (PDF)(Koren Nydick, Mountain Studies Institute)
Air Quality Planning and Management
9:00-9:15 Air Quality Overview & the Four Corners Air Quality Task Force (PDF) (Mary Uhl, NMED)
9:15-9:40 Air Quality Jurisdictions in the Four Corners (PDF) (James Temte, SUIT)
Ozone, aerosols, particulates and visibility
9:40-10:10 New ozone standards and effect of climate programs on air quality (PDF) (Patrick Cummins, Western Regional Air Partnership)
10:10-10:40 Ozone in Colorado (PDF) (Gordon Pierce, CDPHE, presented by Mark Sather)
Ozone, NOx, and ammonia trends in NM (PPT) (Mark Sather, US EPA – Reg 6)
10:50-11:15 Visibility, aerosols and particulates (PDF) (Bud Rolofson, USFS - Reg 2, presented by Ellen Porter)
Atmospheric Deposition
11:15-11:40 Nitrogen Deposition (PDF) (Ellen Porter, National Park Service)
11:40-11:55 Mercury in New Mexico (PDF) (Mary Uhl, NMED)
11:55-12:30 Mercury in SW Colorado (PDF) (Koren Nydick, MSI and Win Wright, Pine River Watershed Group)
12:30-1:30 Deli-style lunch buffet
Planning Discussion
1:30-2:00 Brief introductions
2:00-2:45 Breakout groups (6) –
Group leaders – 1) Wally White (La Plata County Commission), 2) Mike Meschke (San Juan Basin Public Health), 3) James Temte (SUIT), 4) Mark Pearson (San Juan Citizen’s Alliance), 5) Mary Uhl (NMED), plus one
Questions for groups -
- What are the priority air quality issues?
- What is your organization/agency/etc. doing in terms of air quality? (special studies, long-term monitoring, mitigation, education, etc.)
- What would you like to see happen? What are the goals?
- What are the main obstacles?
- How can we move forward strategically and collaboratively?
2:45-3:45 Groups report out (10 min each max)
Unedited notes from breakout groups
3:45-4:30 Large group discussion/where to go from here…
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Forum Partners:
Four Corners Air Quality Task Force/Group
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
New Mexico Environment Department
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Thanks to the Forum Supporters!
US Environmental Protection Agency - Region 8
San Juan Public Lands Center (USFS/BLM)
Fort Lewis College (provided room free of cost in 2008)
Durango Public Library (providing non-profit rate for room in 2009)
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