Columbia Plateau PM-10 Conference Dec. 14-15

PULLMAN, Wash. — Reports on research to reduce wind erosion and improve air quality in the Inland Pacific Northwest will be presented at the Northwest Columbia Plateau PM-10 Project Conference December 14-15 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel, Spokane Valley.

The Columbia Plateau PM-10 Project addresses problems of windblown dust in the Inland Pacific Northwest, particularly particles 10 microns in size and smaller that can lodge in lungs and lead to health problems.

Scientists from Washington State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service as well as northwest farmers and agency personnel will discuss air quality issues, experiences, emissions, policies, physics and wind erosion control methods for agriculture in the Columbia Plateau.

The program includes sessions on dryland and irrigated cropping systems research, impacts of long-term climate on agriculture and prediction and modeling of dust emissions.

The conference will provide farmers, scientists and the general public with an excellent opportunity to learn about and discuss viable methods to reduce dust and smoke emissions from agricultural fields and other sources.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, December 14. A two-day $75 registration fee covers the cost of the meeting, one lunch, a dinner banquet and coffee breaks. Thursday only attendance costs $65 and Friday half-day attendance is $15.

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