Air Quality

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:

Indoor Air Quality

Radon

Radon Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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:

Wildfire Smoke

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, at trained severe weather spotter, and a geocacher.

Daniel Wiggins, Jr.

Air Quality Technician

Daniel manages the radon and indoor air quality programs in the Mashkiiziibii Natural Resource Department’s Air Office. Daniel monitors radon levels, conducts blower door tests and indoor air inspections, provides recommendations for homes and buildings on the Bad River Reservation, and is able to provide educational outreach on indoor air quality topics. Daniel is a Bad River Tribal member who has lived on the Bad River Reservation for nearly 25 years and enjoys playing sports and spending time outdoors.

For contact information, please see the Natural Resources department contact list on the department home page.