Verso Horse Rock Air Monitoring Station, Westernport, Maryland | USA Environmental Monitoring

Verso Horse Rock is an air monitoring station located on Horse Rock Road in Westernport, Allegany County, Maryland, United States. Operated by the Maryland Department of the Environment, it is part of the national network that feeds data into the US EPA Air Quality System (AQS). The station is classified as an Air Monitoring Station and is currently operational, providing continuous ambient air quality measurements. The station operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Air Act and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). While specific parameters measured are not detailed, typical stations in this network monitor criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. The Maryland Department of the Environment ensures compliance with EPA quality assurance protocols and data reporting standards. Located in a rural area of western Maryland, Verso Horse Rock serves as a background monitoring site, helping to characterize regional air quality away from major urban sources. Its data supports state and federal efforts to assess compliance with air quality standards, inform public health advisories, and guide emission reduction strategies. The station's long-term operation contributes to the understanding of air pollution trends in the Appalachian region.

The station's location in Allegany County, a rural area with forested terrain and some industrial history, provides representative background air quality data for the region. Monitoring at this site helps differentiate between local pollution sources and transported pollutants from upwind areas. The data supports the Maryland Department of the Environment's air quality management programs and contributes to the EPA's national monitoring network, which is essential for tracking progress toward meeting NAAQS and protecting public health.