This story was originally published in the Spring 2012 UW SRP eBulletin.
The Northwest Regional Air Quality Workshop for Communities is planned for April 27 at EPA region 10 offices in Seattle with video links to Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho. The workshop is targeted toward individuals and organizations that are currently, or about to be, working on local air quality issues in their communities.
The unique educational workshop is the product of a three-way collaboration among the Northwest Toxic Communities Coalition (NWTCC), EPA Region 10, and the Research translation Core (RTC) of the University of Washington Superfund Research Program. Dan Phalen, Community Involvement Specialist from EPA, has worked closely with RTC staff and NWTCC members to shepherd this project from vision to reality.
Primary technical support is being provided by Dave Bray, Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Air, Waste and Toxics at Region 10 EPA. For over 30 years, he has provided support for the development and implementation of federal, state, tribal, and local air quality programs. "I'm excited about having a truly interactive workshop for communities on air programs. This will be a learning experience for EPA and state agency staff as well as for community participants. This is something that we should be doing more of."
Many community members will be coming to the workshop with extensive knowledge and decades of experience. The workshop intends to create an atmosphere that honors the community perspective and optimizes opportunities for the participants to learn from one another. The EPA is taking the lead on curriculum development and has worked with a diverse workshop design committee to plan this 'first of it's kind' workshop. Agency specialists from local air agencies, as well as state and regional authorities, will be in attendance to provide a broad perspective.
The event is expected to provide participants with a better understanding of the complex and diverse ways in which air quality issues can be addressed.
Attendees will:
- Learn how and when citizens can have the most impact on decisions affecting air quality
- Examine the strengths and limitations of EPA, state, and local regulatory authorities
- Obtain an increased understanding of national outdoor air quality issues
- Get an overview of major air quality issues inthe Pacific Northwest and
- Explore the full range of mechanisms that can empower communities
The Northwest Regional Outdoor Air Quality Workshop for Communities is envisioned as a pilot for similar programs in other regions of the country.