Module 2: Air Quality Regulations

In Module 1 we covered the health impacts of smoke. Module 2 will cover the federal air quality regulations which have been developed in response to these impacts. Air quality regulations are important for protecting public health and welfare. They also have the potential to impact land managers' ability to use prescribed fire to meet land management objectives. Complying with air quality regulations protects public health, and ensures fire can continue to be used as a management tool, thereby providing for ecosystem health. This Module reviews air quality laws, standards, regulations, and policies managers must be aware of when using fire; it covers the topics listed below.

• Development and implementation of air quality regulations
• The Clean Air Act (CAA)
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
• NAAQS Compliance
• State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
• Class 1 Areas and the Regional Haze Rule (RHR)
• General Conformity
• Exceptional Events Rule (EER)

Upon completion of this lesson you should be able to do the following:

• Understand the role of Federal and State agencies in regulating air quality.
• Know the air quality regulations that affect your application of fire as a land management tool.
• List the NAAQS for particulate matter and ozone, and what it means if fire causes an exceedance of these standards.