Clean Air Capacity Building Project Air Quality Issues Air quality affects the Iowa Tribe community in a multitude of ways. Nature and scenic landscapes are sacred and the reduction of visibility caused by air pollution is an affront to our heritage and our quality of life. Air pollution can make people sick, harm the environment, damage property, diminish agricultural production, and reduce visibility. On an individual level, air pollution affects residents every time they take a breath. As a community, clean air is vital to overall tribal health and welfare, to the local ecosystems, and to the aesthetic beauty and quality of life enjoyed by everyone. For these reasons the OES has begun to develop our own air quality program in order to gain the capabilities to reduce air pollution within the Tribal Lands. What Causes Air Pollution? Air pollution comes from many sources, both natural and man-made. The main sources of pollution vary from area to area and pollutant to pollutant. In rural areas natural processes like forest fires and wind-blown dust can be significant sources of particulate matter pollution. Toxic air contaminants are also emitted from such sources as factories, dry cleaners, vehicles, residential burning (wood stoves or open burning) and use of paint and paint thinners. Project Overview The Iowa Tribe's Office of Environmental Services (OES) has just recently begun a new program called "The Clean Air Capacity Building Project". This is the OES first year of funding for an air pollution grant. The purpose of this project is to determine if an air quality problem exists within the Tribe. The OES has recently expanded the staff to include another environmental specialist, Amy Lay. The program goals are to (1) investigate any possible connections between health problems and air pollution occurrences within the Tribal community (2) identify and list all air pollution sources impacting tribal lands (3) to provide community and tribal members with education materials on air pollution and ways to keep our air clean. What's New An OES staff member will be posting fliers and handing out surveys around the Tribal complex and the Perkins community to help in the effort to identify any air pollution concerns that you might have. Your participation will be most appreciated. If you have any concerns or need further information please contact the program coordinator, Amy Lay, at 547-2402 X278.    Environmental Staff    OES Historical Background    Water Quality Program    Wetland Programs    Air Quality     Amy Lay, Director of Environmental Services email: alay@iowanation.org