July 11, 2023

Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $46,000 for Air Quality Tracking Headed to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding a total of $46,356 to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) for air monitoring to help improve public health data.? 

“One of the most important steps in protecting frontline communities from bad air pollution is actually monitoring their air, so that we can see where there are problems and take steps to address them,” said Senator Merkley. “This funding for the CTUIR will help shine a light on air pollution and help the Tribal Community keep themselves safe and healthy.” ??

“Preventing pollution and improving air quality requires reliable data,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified to see these funds go to air monitoring on Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla land so that people in the region can breathe easier and stay healthy.”

This EPA funding will enable the community to collect air quality data in underserved communities on the CTUIR lands which will be contributed to the national air database through the purchase a BAM 1022 PM 2.5 reference monitor. These funds will support access to training to help build foundational capacity to the CTUIR Office of Air Quality for successful air monitor deployment and operation. 

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