Overview
Cave Junction - Illinois Valley Airport (IVA) is an air monitoring station in Oregon, USA, operated under the IMPROVE network by the National Park Service. It provides data on visibility and particulate matter in the region.
Cave Junction - Illinois Valley Airport (IVA) is an air monitoring station located at the Illinois Valley Airport in Cave Junction, Josephine County, Oregon, United States. The station is part of the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network, a collaborative program focused on assessing visibility and air quality in protected areas. Operated by the National Park Service, this station contributes to a nationwide effort to monitor regional haze and particulate matter. The IMPROVE network follows rigorous protocols for sampling and analysis, measuring fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical composition, including sulfates, nitrates, organic carbon, and elemental carbon. The station's siting at an airport provides representative data for the Illinois Valley region, capturing both local and transported pollution. The network's data supports compliance with the Regional Haze Rule under the Clean Air Act, which aims to improve visibility in Class I areas. This monitoring station plays a key role in understanding air quality trends in southwestern Oregon, an area influenced by forest fires, agricultural activities, and urban emissions from nearby communities. The data collected helps inform public health advisories and regulatory decisions, contributing to the protection of scenic vistas and ecosystem health in the region.
Environmental context
The Illinois Valley region in southwestern Oregon experiences a mix of air quality influences, including seasonal wildfire smoke, agricultural burning, and emissions from transportation and industry. The IMPROVE network's focus on visibility and fine particulate matter is particularly relevant here, as the area is near several protected natural areas. Monitoring at this station helps track long-term trends in regional haze and aerosol composition, supporting efforts to meet federal air quality standards and preserve visual air quality.
Frequently asked questions
The station is located at the Illinois Valley Airport, 30904 Redwood Hwy, Cave Junction, Oregon 97523, in Josephine County.
As part of the IMPROVE network, the station measures fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical components, including sulfates, nitrates, organic carbon, and elemental carbon, to assess visibility and air quality.
The station is operated by the National Park Service under the IMPROVE network, which is a collaborative program involving federal and state agencies.
The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network is a long-term program that monitors visibility and particulate matter in protected areas across the United States. It supports the Regional Haze Rule and helps assess trends in air quality and visibility.
Data from this station helps track air quality trends, inform public health advisories during wildfire events, and support regulatory decisions to reduce pollution and protect visibility in the region.
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