National Tribal Air Association

At the National Tribal Forum, EPA requested Tribal input on the AIRNow Program and any improvements that can be made for its use in Tribal Communities.

The AIRNow program has been the primary real-time air quality management and display system in North America
since its inception in 1998.  It fosters community effort among federal, tribal, state, and local air quality agencies,
and provides a centralized, common framework for acquiring and distributing air quality information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

AIRNow offers the public access to a wealth of information on air quality, along with many useful air quality tools and
services for agencies and community groups, including:

• The AIRNow website – www.airnow.gov
• Current and historical air quality conditions for agencies
• Air quality forecasts specific to agencies
• EnviroFlash– Tool customized by agencies to automatically send air quality forecasts and alerts to subscribers
• AIRNowTech – Decision support system for air quality agencies Public outreach and education, including free publications

To improve the AIRNow program's systems to better serve community groups, EPA asks Tribes who have input to fill out a short
questionnaire (below) or email your responses to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The questionnaire may be followed up by a
phone interview at a later date.  Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Here are the questions they are looking to have input on:

1)    What is your biggest challenge in understanding, monitoring, communicating, or accessing air quality data for your tribe?

2)    Are members in your tribe concerned about air quality?  If so, where do tribe members go for current air quality information?

3)    Would it be helpful if AIRNow provided a webpage, data feed, or e-mail alert specifically geared to your tribe?

4)    Are you familiar with the AIRNow website, www.airnow.gov?  If so, have you been able to find information
you need from the website?  Is there information that would benefit your tribe that is missing or difficult to find on the website?

5)    Are there any other ways in which EPA could help your tribe?

If you have any questions, please contact Tami Laplante at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Jen Youngblood at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it