Monitoring Program
Air Quality
Forest Plan Objectives and Monitoring Plan Questions
The following objectives, monitoring questions, evaluation criteria, and adaptive feedback mechanisms are identified in Table 6-1 of the 2008 Forest Plan.
ObjectiveThe current air resource condition should be maintained to protect the Forest's ecosystems from on- and off-Forest air emission sources. |
Monitoring Plan QuestionIs air quality being maintained? |
Sampling/Reporting PeriodAnnual/5 Year |
Evaluation CriteriaChanges in air quality relative to state and federal ambient air quality standards. AIR2 II.A. Ambient Air Quality Standards are a measure for human health. Lichen thresholds are used for ecosystem health. |
Data and Inventory SourcesEPA and ADEC websites, air inventory and monitoring through lichen biomonitoring |
Feedback MechanismEvaluate management practices and change, if needed; Forest Plan Air Standards and Guidelines. Reevaluate the lichen thresholds as more data are collected over time. |
Monitoring Activities and Projects
The following activities and projects are being conducted to address the monitoring plan question identified above (also see Air Quality Protocol):
Question 1: Annually list air quality data summaries from current monitoring sites; including several sites in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley (for particulate matter, measured as PM-10 and PM-2.5) and past sites in Ketchikan and Sitka (for PM-10 and SO 2). Include future sites potentially in Ketchikan and Sitka (for PM-2.5).
Results:
- Tabulate ambient air quality summaries from current monitoring sites; including several sites in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley (for particulate matter, measured as PM-10 and PM-2.5) and past sites in Ketchikan and Sitka (for PM-10 and SO 2).
- List any non-attainment areas, estimate the Tongass National Forest acreage affected.
- Briefly summarize the most recent ADEC data trends.
Analysis:
- Evaluate the ambient air qualities and determine if the air quality on the Tongass National Forest is meeting the ambient air quality standards.
- Discuss the most recent ADEC ambient air quality trends relative to the Tongass National Forest ambient air quality.
- Report results in the annual monitoring reports as well as in the first year, fifth year, tenth year and fifteenth year monitoring and evaluation reports.
Question 2: The Forest Service has established permanent plots for using lichens for biomonitoring air quality (Geiser et al. 1994). Recently, additional plots were established in wilderness areas. All areas with lichen plots are shown in the 2009 Air Quality document. Changes in plant tissue concentrations of plant nutrients and a series of elements are monitored. A regional lichen biomonitoring plan is being developed.
Results:
- Report areas that are above thresholds established for lichens on the Tongass annually and summarize every 5 years.
Analysis:
- Evaluate the lichen data that are above thresholds annually.
- Determine critical loads of harmful pollutants in lichens for the Tongass National Forest in 5 years.
Inventory and Monitoring Data and Reports
The 2009 Tongass National Forest Monitoring and Evaluation Report summarizes the 2009 Air Quality Monitoring that was conducted and any results of the program.
Procedures and Tools
The Procedures and Tools subsection of this web site provides information on important procedures and tools used in Forest Plan implementation. These procedures and tools are provided on this web site to help ensure that they are applied in an accurate and consistent manner.