Who is the Fort Air Partnership?
Why was the Fort Air Partnership formed?
What is the purpose of the Fort Air Partnership ?
How long has the Fort Air Partnership Existed?
What Has The Fort Air Partnership achieved, and what does it hope to accomplish next?
How are sites for continuous monitoring selected?
How is it decided what parameters will be monitored at a continuous station?
Does the Fort Air Partnership monitor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)?
Who is the Fort Air Partnership?
The Fort Air Partnership is a voluntary partnership of public, industry, government, Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association, and a non-governmental organization. We all see the benefit of sitting down at the same table and working through air quality issues together.
The Fort Air Partnership is a voluntary partnership of public, industry, government, Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association, and a non-governmental organization. We all see the benefit of sitting down at the same table and working through air quality issues together.
Why was the Fort Air Partnership formed?
Consistently over the years, air quality has been an issue in the Fort Saskatchewan area. In fact, it is the number one environmental issue in our region year after year. We see visible plumes, and so we perceive that there is an air quality problem. The public is asking questions about the cumulative effects of emissions on air quality and on human health. We all want to know if our air is safe to breathe but there has been very little readily-available information. Our community was looking for leadership to address this issue. So, the Fort Air Partnership was formed.
Consistently over the years, air quality has been an issue in the Fort Saskatchewan area. In fact, it is the number one environmental issue in our region year after year. We see visible plumes, and so we perceive that there is an air quality problem. The public is asking questions about the cumulative effects of emissions on air quality and on human health. We all want to know if our air is safe to breathe but there has been very little readily-available information. Our community was looking for leadership to address this issue. So, the Fort Air Partnership was formed.
What is the purpose of the Fort Air Partnership ?
Our mission is to generate and provide comprehensive and credible air quality information to the public, industries and government.
Our mission is to generate and provide comprehensive and credible air quality information to the public, industries and government.
How long has the Fort Air Partnership Existed?
The Fort Air Partnership was established in 1997. Early that year, the City of Fort Saskatchewan and the Fort Saskatchewan Regional Industrial Association formed an Advance Team to gather information on air quality and human health issues, and to develop a proposed structure for a new community-driven organization that would provide credible information on air quality to the community. They drafted terms of reference and recruited members to the committee. The "Alliance for Clean Air" began monthly meetings in December 1997 to develop a proposed mandate, principles, and preliminary business plan. In March 1998, members attended a three-day workshop sponsored by the Environmental Law Centre to obtain the initial training they needed. In April 1998, the Alliance introduced itself to residents of the area at the Fort Saskatchewan Home and Trade Show and sought input on a new name that better reflected its purpose.
The Fort Air Partnership was established in 1997. Early that year, the City of Fort Saskatchewan and the Fort Saskatchewan Regional Industrial Association formed an Advance Team to gather information on air quality and human health issues, and to develop a proposed structure for a new community-driven organization that would provide credible information on air quality to the community. They drafted terms of reference and recruited members to the committee. The "Alliance for Clean Air" began monthly meetings in December 1997 to develop a proposed mandate, principles, and preliminary business plan. In March 1998, members attended a three-day workshop sponsored by the Environmental Law Centre to obtain the initial training they needed. In April 1998, the Alliance introduced itself to residents of the area at the Fort Saskatchewan Home and Trade Show and sought input on a new name that better reflected its purpose.
What Has The Fort Air Partnership achieved, and what does it hope to accomplish next?
In 2001, the Fort Air Partnership led or partnered in a number of initiatives. As always, their work last year was designed to develop relevant, credible information that can be used to answer stakeholders' questions, manage regional air quality, protect environmental health and influence policy. They have:
* finalized the design of an air monitoring network that will gather data we all need
* selected a company to provide hardware, software, maintenance and monitoring for the network
* gathered baseline health information by completing a community exposure and health effects assessment program in Fort Saskatchewan and area, in partnership with the Capital Health Authority, Lakeland Regional Health Authority, Aspen Regional Health Authority, Northeast Capital Industrial Association, Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association, Alberta Environment, and Alberta Health and Wellness. That baseline study is the first step in answering the questions we have about the effects of air quality on our health and the health of our families. * created a stable financial platform from which effective planning and implementation of the air monitoring network can be done. The Fort Air Partnership is working to ensure that the costs and benefits of our programs are shared fairly among parties contributing to emission, and they will also apply for relevant grants. * began the process to recruit, select and hire our first-ever Executive Director. That process has been completed and on March 18, 2002 the Fort Air Partnership was pleased to announce Mark Psutka was on board. He's a seasoned self-motivated individual, with a very good understanding of air quality issues. Mark is a Fort Saskatchewan resident with more than 20 years of environmental experience related to the oil and gas and petrochemical industry in Alberta.
* become incorporated as a Society in Alberta.
* approved a communications strategy, developed a logo, and developed and maintains a web site that will help the Fort Air Partnership raise awareness and communicate air monitoring results.
Work is currently under way to:
* operate an air monitoring network that will gather data that addresses the issues important to stakeholders and that will support air quality management in the region,
* maintain a stable financial platform from which effective planning and implementation of the air monitoring network can be done,
* communicate effectively with residents in the region to raise awareness and communicate results through community reports on air quality and a Web site,
* work with Alberta Health and Wellness and partnering organizations to create an understanding of air quality and its effects on human health, and
* advocate to protect air quality and human health.
In 2001, the Fort Air Partnership led or partnered in a number of initiatives. As always, their work last year was designed to develop relevant, credible information that can be used to answer stakeholders' questions, manage regional air quality, protect environmental health and influence policy. They have:
* finalized the design of an air monitoring network that will gather data we all need
* selected a company to provide hardware, software, maintenance and monitoring for the network
* gathered baseline health information by completing a community exposure and health effects assessment program in Fort Saskatchewan and area, in partnership with the Capital Health Authority, Lakeland Regional Health Authority, Aspen Regional Health Authority, Northeast Capital Industrial Association, Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association, Alberta Environment, and Alberta Health and Wellness. That baseline study is the first step in answering the questions we have about the effects of air quality on our health and the health of our families. * created a stable financial platform from which effective planning and implementation of the air monitoring network can be done. The Fort Air Partnership is working to ensure that the costs and benefits of our programs are shared fairly among parties contributing to emission, and they will also apply for relevant grants. * began the process to recruit, select and hire our first-ever Executive Director. That process has been completed and on March 18, 2002 the Fort Air Partnership was pleased to announce Mark Psutka was on board. He's a seasoned self-motivated individual, with a very good understanding of air quality issues. Mark is a Fort Saskatchewan resident with more than 20 years of environmental experience related to the oil and gas and petrochemical industry in Alberta.
* become incorporated as a Society in Alberta.
* approved a communications strategy, developed a logo, and developed and maintains a web site that will help the Fort Air Partnership raise awareness and communicate air monitoring results.
Work is currently under way to:
* operate an air monitoring network that will gather data that addresses the issues important to stakeholders and that will support air quality management in the region,
* maintain a stable financial platform from which effective planning and implementation of the air monitoring network can be done,
* communicate effectively with residents in the region to raise awareness and communicate results through community reports on air quality and a Web site,
* work with Alberta Health and Wellness and partnering organizations to create an understanding of air quality and its effects on human health, and
* advocate to protect air quality and human health.
How are sites for continuous monitoring selected?
Sites are selected based on: Receptor locations Emissions Dispersion Modeling Existing Data Accessability Power and Telephone lines
Sites are selected based on: Receptor locations Emissions Dispersion Modeling Existing Data Accessability Power and Telephone lines
How is it decided what parameters will be monitored at a continuous station?
The Fort Air Partnership works with Alberta Environment and approval holders. Operating plans, sources of emissions, dispersion modeling, human and environmental health, and available technology are assesed to determine what parameters will be monitored for.
The Fort Air Partnership works with Alberta Environment and approval holders. Operating plans, sources of emissions, dispersion modeling, human and environmental health, and available technology are assesed to determine what parameters will be monitored for.
Does the Fort Air Partnership monitor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)?
The Fort Air Partnership and Environment Canada have just completed a 1.5 year comprehensive VOC project, in which 24 hour samples were collected every 6 days at 6 sights, and analyzed fopr 150 different VOC's. A total of 525 samples were collected. The data is available on the Fort Air Partnership website, along with an interim report. The final report will be available soon. The study compares the levels of VOC's in the Fort Saskatchewan region to other areas in Canada where this type of study has been completed.
The Fort Air Partnership and Environment Canada have just completed a 1.5 year comprehensive VOC project, in which 24 hour samples were collected every 6 days at 6 sights, and analyzed fopr 150 different VOC's. A total of 525 samples were collected. The data is available on the Fort Air Partnership website, along with an interim report. The final report will be available soon. The study compares the levels of VOC's in the Fort Saskatchewan region to other areas in Canada where this type of study has been completed.