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Homepage » Lesson 1 » Lesson 1.2
Why should a Tribe complete an EI?
Although all states are required by the Clean Air Act (CAA) to complete emissions inventories on a regular basis, EIs are not required under law for Native American Reservations. Tribes usually complete EIs for their reservations for the following reasons:
- The EI is a fundamental building block in developing an air quality control and maintenance strategy. When a tribe has a concern with the quality of their air, or wishes to protect the good quality of their air, they often take steps to start a tribal air program. If a tribe gets a CAA grant to start an air quality program, it is often required to complete an EI under their grant from EPA. If a tribe does not have a CAA grant, but wants to apply for one, they can complete an EI to show that they have a need for a CAA grant.
- An EI provides baseline data for the year it is completed. Future updates to the EI can show how new industries or developments on the reservation have affected air quality.
- Emissions estimates developed through an EI can be used to predict pollutant concentrations in the ambient air through the use of dispersion modeling.
- EI data can serve as the basis for developing and implementing minor source and construction permitting programs.
- EI data can provide input for human health risk assessment studies.
- EI data can be used to determine the need for ambient air monitors and to site monitors.
  TURN IN 1b.: Why does your tribe want to complete an EI for their reservation? Go to Bulletin Board.
End of Lesson 1.2
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