PULLMAN, Wash. — The annual review of the Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion/Air Quality Project will be conducted Dec. 2-3 at the Doubletree Motel at Pasco.
Researchers from Washington State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as farmers will report on wind event occurrences and probabilities, regional soil characteristics, wind erodibility, dust emissions and new farming systems.
The September 25 dust storm that led to a series of deadly auto accidents on Interstate 84 between Hermiston and Pendleton, Ore., will be discussed. Six people were killed and at least 23 injured in three pileups on I-84.
Speakers also will discuss current concerns about smoke from agricultural burning and new findings that encourage conservation farming.
A panel of farmers will talk about irrigated farming with or without dust and smoke, dryland fallowing with residue, and alternative residue management.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 2. The public is welcome. Pre-registration before Nov. 19 is encouraged. Cost is $65 for both days and includes one lunch, a dinner banquet and coffee breaks. Thursday only registration is $40. Friday only registration is $10. Contact Rylee Dustin at (509) 335-1232 or rdustin@wsu.edu for more information and to register.
The Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion/Air Quality Project, started in 1993, is designed to address problems of windblown dust, particularly particles 10 microns in size and smaller that can lodge in the lungs and lead to health problems.
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