PULLMAN, Wash. – Progress on research to reduce wind erosion and improve air quality in the inland Pacific Northwest will be reported at Columbia Plateau PM10 Project annual meeting on Dec. 4 at Washington State University.
The Columbia Plateau, a 50,000-square-mile region in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, is one of the driest as well as one of the most productive wheat producing regions in the world. However, dust generated from farming and construction sites poses a hazard to motorists, reduces soil productivity and pollutes air in downwind communities.
The multidisciplinary research project, begun in 1993, addresses problems associated with airborne particulates that are 10 microns in size or smaller and develops economically viable best-management practices for dryland and irrigated growers to control dust emissions.
Scientists from Washington State University, Oregon State University, the USDA-Agricultural Research Service as well as officials from the Spokane County Air Authority and Benton County Air Authority are scheduled to speak on prediction and measurement of dust emissions, air quality monitoring, cropping systems to control wind erosion, assessment of farming practices and emissions from dairies.
Oral presentations will be made from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in room 210 at the Compton Union Building. 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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