Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

For immediate release: Nov. 28, 2007 Contact: Mark Sulzbach, 651-296-7768 Saint Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has released the 2008 Air Monitoring Network Plan for public review and comment through Dec. 19, 2007. The annual report provides an overview of the various air-quality monitoring networks currently operating in Minnesota. 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires state and local government agencies to publish an annual monitoring network plan. Changes to the federal regulations in 2006 now require agencies to solicit comments for a 30-day period. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate compliance with air monitoring network regulations, describe proposed changes for the upcoming year, and provide specific information on each of the existing and proposed monitoring sites. The plan and instructions for submitting comments can be found on the MPCA Public Notice Web page at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/data/index.cfm?PN=1. For more information contact Rick Strassman, MPCA Air Monitoring Unit Supervisor, 651-296-7754.