Learn more about how the District plans to address this resource concern in the Long-Range Business Plan for 2011-2015 (pdf file).
Air is one of the most basic human needs, although we might not think about it often. Perhaps we take air for granted because it’s always there, and our bodies use it all the time without our even thinking about it. Some pollutants we can see, such as dust and smoke, or smell, such as odorous compounds. There are many others though that we cannot see or smell. In any case, even if we don’t pay attention to our breathing, we must pay attention to the air we breathe and how it could potentially affect our daily lives.
Problems associated with air quality issues range from nuisances to health impacts to changes to the earth’s atmosphere. The ability to view some of the region’s majestic Cascade peaks, such as Mt. Hood and Mt. Saint Helens, is also important to residents, and requires good visibility be maintained.
The Tualatin River Watershed’s air quality is an important factor in the overall health of the watershed. Air quality in the Tualatin River Watershed is monitored and regulated as part of the entire Portland Air Quality Management Area. The air quality within the watershed cannot exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards as defined by the Environment Protection Agency.
