Columbia Plateau PM10 Project Conference Dec. 17

PULLMAN, Wash. – Progress on research to reduce wind erosion and improve air quality in the inland Pacific Northwest will be reported at the Columbia Plateau PM10 Project annual meeting on Dec. 17 at Washington State University.

The Columbia Plateau PM10 Project is a multidisciplinary research effort to address problems associated with airborne particulates that are 10 microns in size or smaller and to develop economically viable best management practices to control blowing dust and smoke from dryland and irrigated farms.

Scientists from Washington State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, Oregon State University and officials from county, state and national air authorities will speak on prediction and measurement of dust emissions, air quality monitoring, cropping systems to control wind erosion and assessment of farming practices.

“The meeting will provide growers, 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,” said William Schillinger, crop and soils scientist at the WSU Dryland Research Station at Lind.

Oral presentations will be made from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in room 210 at the Compton Union Building on the Pullman campus. A hosted lunch will be provided.

The meeting is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Contact Cindy Warriner at (509) 659-3215 or warriner@wsu.edu or go online at http://www.pnw-winderosion.wsu.edu/news.html to register.

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