Agencies to study air near Memphis
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and the Shelby County Health Department in Tennessee have entered into an agreement to study air quality in the Memphis metropolitan area.
The Health Department will place a monitor for particulate matter of 10 micrometers or less at a location in Marion that the Department of Environmental Quality already uses to monitor ozone and nitrogen oxide.
Particulate matter of 10 micrometers or less can cause health problems, including infections, cancer and respiratory troubles.
The Memphis area is a highly trafficked corridor that has a history of being out of compliance with federal ozone standards, although the Arkansas portion has come into compliance in recent years.
The Health Department will pay for the particulate matter monitor and will provide the data to the Department of Environmental Quality upon request, according to the memorandum of agreement between the parties.
Proposals sought
for water grants
The Arkansas Water Resources Center is taking proposals for up to $250,000 per project in water quality grant funding, according to an announcement from the center.
The grants are a part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s 104G National Competitive Grant Program, and they are for research that aims to improve and enhance “the nation’s water supply,” according to the announcement.
The applicant must be employed at a U.S. higher education institution, and Arkansas applicants must apply through the center.
Deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Feb. 15, and the projects would start Sept. 1 and last up to three years.
Interested applicants can find more information at arkansas-water-center.uark.edu/Opportunities/funding. php.
ADEQ offers funds in diesel program
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality is accepting proposals for its diesel emission-reduction program, according to a department news release.
The funds come from the federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. Last year, most recipients were school districts that replaced older school buses, and one group installed truck stop electrification units.
The department will accept proposals on rolling deadlines until the funds are all awarded, the release said. The first deadline for funding is Dec. 29. After that, the department will accept another round of proposals until Jan. 31, 2018, and again on the last day of each month until April 30 or all of the funds are awarded.
Jonesboro to host
soil, water event
The Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference and Expo will be Jan. 31 in Jonesboro.
The convention, in its 20th year, will take place at First National Bank Arena on the Arkansas State University campus. It also will include a vendor trade show.
Registration fees are $20 before Jan. 19 and $40 after, according to ASU’s website.