Lee Vining Air Monitoring Station | California, USA Environmental Monitoring

Lee Vining is an air monitoring station located at 330 Mattly Avenue in Lee Vining, California, within Mono County. Operated by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, the station is part of the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which monitors criteria pollutants and other atmospheric parameters to ensure compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station's last reported sample date is June 30, 2025, indicating ongoing data collection. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Air Act, which mandates monitoring of pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. While specific parameters measured at this site are not detailed, typical rural stations in California's Eastern Sierra region focus on ozone and PM2.5 due to local sources like wildfires and long-range transport. The station's siting is representative of a remote, high-altitude environment, contributing to regional background air quality assessments. Environmental monitoring at Lee Vining supports public health protection and regulatory compliance in a sparsely populated area near Yosemite National Park. Data from this station helps track air quality trends in the Great Basin region, informing local and state-level air management decisions. The station's continued operation ensures long-term continuity of air quality records, which are vital for climate research and policy evaluation.

Lee Vining is situated in the Eastern Sierra Nevada region, a high-altitude desert environment with unique air quality challenges. The area experiences seasonal impacts from wildfire smoke, dust from dry lakebeds, and long-range transport of pollutants from the Central Valley. Monitoring at this station focuses on background ozone levels and particulate matter, which are critical for understanding regional air quality and protecting sensitive ecosystems. The station's remote location provides representative data for rural and wilderness areas, supporting the EPA's goal of comprehensive spatial coverage.