Overview
Shell Cut is an air monitoring station in Inyo County, California, operated by the Great Basin Unified APCD. It provides ambient air quality data for the remote Owens Valley region.
Shell Cut is an air monitoring station located along Highway 190 in Inyo County, California, within the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District. This station is part of the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which monitors criteria pollutants and other parameters to assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The station's remote location in the Owens Valley provides representative data for a sparsely populated area with unique air quality challenges, including dust from dry lakebeds and emissions from local sources. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Air Act, with data reported to the EPA AQS. While specific parameters measured are not detailed, typical air monitoring stations in this network track pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The Great Basin Unified APCD focuses on air quality issues in the region, including particulate matter from Owens Lake dust control efforts. The station's last reported sample date is June 30, 2025, indicating ongoing operations. Environmental monitoring at Shell Cut supports public health protection and regulatory compliance in a region known for its arid climate and sensitive ecosystems. The data collected helps inform dust mitigation strategies and contributes to the national air quality database. As part of a network of stations in California, Shell Cut plays a role in understanding regional air quality trends and ensuring that communities in remote areas receive adequate monitoring coverage.
Environmental context
Shell Cut is situated in the Owens Valley, a region with significant air quality concerns related to fugitive dust from dry lakebeds, particularly Owens Lake. The Great Basin Unified APCD implements dust control measures to reduce PM10 emissions. Monitoring at this station supports the evaluation of these measures and compliance with state and federal air quality standards. The station's siting in a remote area provides background data that helps distinguish local sources from transported pollution.
Frequently asked questions
Shell Cut is located along Highway 190 in Inyo County, California, within the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District. The station is situated in a remote area of the Owens Valley.
Shell Cut is operated by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (APCD), which is responsible for air quality management in Inyo, Mono, and Alpine counties in California.
Typical air monitoring stations in the EPA AQS network measure criteria pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Shell Cut likely monitors particulate matter due to local dust concerns.
Shell Cut provides data to the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) to assess compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Its remote location helps characterize background air quality and evaluate dust control measures in the Owens Valley.
Air monitoring in California operates under the US Clean Air Act, with state implementation plans enforced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and local air districts like Great Basin Unified APCD. Stations report to the EPA AQS network.
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