Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy: Summary of Objectives, Issues, Principles and Implementation Steps 1.0 Background -"A single pollutant measuring approach is not an optimal design for recent integrated air quality management trends such as the linkages across ozone, fine particulate matter, regional haze, air toxics and multi-media interactions." -"available ambient data simply are not being tapped to their true potential, and our ability to make sound decisions on air program matters can only benefit from thoroughly mining these data." 2.0 Objectives 2.1 Monitoring Strategy -"create dynamic monitoring networks responsive to regulatory objectives and scientific advances, while recognizing resource constraints." Defining clear and realistic monitoring priorities over 5-10 years Establishing decision making steps related to network divestments and investments Integrating across programs and organizations to optimize data and resources to support stable national, state and local monitoring programs CAPITA - Air Quality Data Integration and the Living Data Inventory CAPITA - PM2.5 Analysis Website & Repository CAPITA - National-Local Interaction for Monitoring and Assessment 2.2 Monitoring Program Priorities -"…PM2.5 ozone and air toxics are high priorities" CAPITA - Megatrends 2.4 Monitoring Program Objectives CAPITA - AQ Management from Systems Analysis Perspective Characterization of air Quality Development and evaluation of emission reduction strategies Evaluation of Public exposure, risk and environmental impacts Assisting research and related efforts in atmospheric science, human health and environmental effects and exposure 2.5 Data Uses NAAQS comparison Air quality patterns CAPITA - PM2.5 National Maps CAPITA - Planned National Analyses SIP development CAPITA - PM Analysis Workbook in Support of SIPS Air quality trends and SIPs tracking CAPITA - Natural (out of EPA jurisdiction) Events CAPITA - Visibility (PM2.5) trends Determining maximum exposure concentrations
Public information and reporting of data CAPITA - Air Quality Data Integration and the Living Data Inventory Technology testing and evaluation Permitting and PSD Applications Health effects and exposure research Atmospheric process characterization CAPITA - US-Canada Ozone Transport CAPITA - Planned National Analyses
3.0 Prevailing Issues 3.1 Science and Technological Issues Network Design Outdated Instrumentation Missing Parameters Quality Assurance Requirements Poor Planning Inadequate Data Utilization Lack of Assessment 3.2 Institutional and Resource Issues Poor Integration Across Programs Poor Planning Public Communications (network changes) Lack of Trained Operators Insufficient Methods Development and Testing 4.0 Operating Principles -Guiding principles for planning and monitoring implementation steps EPA and State and Local Agencies will Jointly Lead the Planning Effort Demonstrate the Value of the Data (or Lose It) CAPITA - Air Quality Analysis Tools & Methods CAPITA - PM Analysis Workbook in Support of SIPS CAPITA - PM2.5 Analysis Website & Repository Optimization through Integration CAPITA - Air Quality Data Integration and the Living Data Inventory Effective Interfacing with "Science" CAPITA - PM Analysis Workbook in Support of SIPS Balance National and Local Objectives CAPITA - National-Local Interaction for Monitoring and Assessment Minimize Adverse Program Impacts by Transitioning Major Changes 5.0 Implementation and Management Steps of the Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy -"A number of steps and measures are proposed here that collectively are intended to institutionalize a dynamic monitoring program driven by data use and network assessment."
5.1 Specific Steps Summary Plan Comprehensive Strategic Plan Outreach and Communication Communications with other organizations Public communications Scientific advice and review Assessment Activities -Develop an objective basis for determining adequacy of networks to meet current and anticipated objectives, identify network redundancies and successes, and provide guidance on divestment and investment areas Initiate a comprehensive network assessment o Internal State/local agency assessments o Continued PAMS assessment o EPA Regional Office/OAQPS Assessment Team o New extramural assessment effort o Review and revise monitoring regulations o Divestment Guidance Oversight measures/Organization Organizational Roles