The Air Office of the Mashkiiziibii Natural Resource Department strives to protect the health of the Bad River community and the natural resources of the Bad River Reservation. There are series of webpages here with more information about the activities conducted by the Air Office, please feel free to explore these pages and the other pages of programs in the Mashkiiziibii Natural Resource Department.
Treatment as a State (TAS) for Air Quality
Bad River’s Treatment as a State for Air Quality was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in February 2005.
More information about TAS is at this website:
Bad River Treatment as a State for Air Quality
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
The Clean Air Act and Amendments list six common air pollutants that cause harm to human health and the environment.Ground-level ozone
More information about the NAAQS, see this website:
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Ambient Air Monitoring
Bad River monitors for two criteria pollutants:
- Ground-level ozone
- Fine particle pollution (PM 2.5µ)
More information about air monitoring activities on the Bad River Reservation, see this website:
(in development)
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Most people spend 90% of their time indoors, therefore a healthy indoor environment is a vital component to human health. Special importance is given to monitoring and responding to radon levels in homes and buildings on the Bad River Reservation.
More information on IAQ and radon can be found here:
Class I Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Bad River is in the process of redesignating from Class II to Class I.
More information about Class I PSD can be found here:
Class I Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Bad River’s Redesignation to Class I (in development)
Burning and Fire Prevention Ordinance
Chapter 376 of the Bad River Conservation Code was passed by Tribal Council to control and monitor the setting of fires within the exterior boundaries of the Bad River Reservation to ensure the safety of the communities and the environment.
Details of the ordinance and the current fire danger level can be found here:
Bad River’s Fire Prevention Ordinance and Fire Danger
Protecting Yourself During Elevated Pollution Events
Pollution events are uncommon in our area but we do have periods of smoke from wildfires and a few days each year have elevated ozone. More information on how to protect yourself are on this page:
High Ozone Days (in development)
Nathan Kilger
Air Quality Specialist
Nathan has coordinated the Mashkiiziibii Natural Resource Department’s Air Office since 2009. Nathan operates the ambient air monitoring site, conducts data quality assurance and quality control, maintains the meteorological station, reviews permits, represents the Tribe in national, regional, and local associations, groups, and forums, and is able to to provide educational outreach on ambient air quality topics. Nathan previously served two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia, is a member of the American Meteorological Society, a citizen scientist weather observer, a trained severe weather spotter, and a geocacher.
Zakkary Zander
Air Quality Technician
Hello, I’m Zakkary Zander. I was the Wetlands Specialist for Mashkiiziibii Natural Resource Department for 2 years; I have now switched positions to the Radon Program Manager/Air Quality Technician. I’ve been in the area for the last 10 years; I moved here to attend Northland where I earned a BS in Biology. My goal as the Air Quality Technician position is the same as it was in the Wetlands Specialist position – to help the community to the best of my ability. I will be conducting radon monitoring and performing indoor air quality inspections. In addition, I’m able to provide recommendations for homes and buildings on the Bad River Reservation and can provide educational outreach on indoor air quality topics.
For contact information, please see the Natural Resources department contact list on the department home page.