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Air Monitoring Network Plan

• Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan for the State of Minnesota, 2010
• Appendix A: Air Monitoring Site Descriptions
• Appendix B: National Core (NCore) Multi-pollutant Monitoring

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) monitors outdoor air quality throughout Minnesota. There are many reasons to monitor the quality of our outdoor air. The data collected by the MPCA helps determine major sources of ambient air pollution in Minnesota, addresses ways to reduce pollution levels, and tracks concentrations of ambient air pollution over time. Data are also used to determine compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and whether we are protecting the public from the harmful health effects of ambient air pollution.

The purpose of this annual report is to demonstrate compliance with air monitoring network regulations, to describe proposed changes for the upcoming year, and to provide specific information on each of Minnesota's existing and proposed air quality monitoring sites. Details regarding the location of individual sites, monitoring objectives, and proposed changes are provided. Data for several pollutants are summarized to show current conditions relative to State and Federal air quality standards. The plan also provides an overview of the various air quality monitoring networks operating in Minnesota. In addition, the 2010 plan contains a detailed plan for Minnesota’s National Core Multi-pollutant (NCORE) monitoring station. 

The 2010 Air Monitoring Network Plan was open for public review and comment from May 13, 2009 through June 12, 2009. Comments received during the review period are summarized at the end of the document.

2010 Source-oriented Lead Monitoring Plan

On October 18, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for lead. In addition to a ten-fold tightening of the standard, the EPA announced an expanded lead monitoring network, including both population and source-oriented monitoring. This plan describes the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) proposed source-oriented lead monitoring network, which will be operational on January 1, 2010. Included in this report is a description of how the MPCA identified facilities potentially requiring monitoring, air dispersion modeling procedures and results, and where required, proposed locations for source-oriented lead monitoring.

The 2010 Source-oriented Lead Monitoring Plan is available for public review and comment from October 14, 2009 through November, 12, 2009. The plan and and a link to the public notice are available below:

• 2010 Source-oriented Lead Monitoring Plan for Minnesota
• Public Notice of 2010 Source-oriented Lead Monitoring Plan for the State of Minnesota

Air Monitoring Network Plans from Previous Years

• Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan for the State of Minnesota, 2009
• Annual Air Monitoring Network Plan for the State of Minnesota, 2008

Staff Contacts

For questions about the MPCA Air Monitoring Network, contact the following MPCA staff:

• Kellie Gavin, 651-757-2379
• Cassie McMahon, 651-757-2564
• Rick Strassman, 651-757-2760