DEQ is responsible for developing air quality improvement plans known as State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to protect air quality in the state and to help improve air quality in areas classified as "nonattainment." Nonattainment means that an area has consistently failed to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for one or more air pollutants covered by the standards. NAAQS are thresholds above which the federal government has determined adverse effects on human health may occur. Attainment with the NAAQS is desirable to protect public health and encourage economic growth.

SIPs include two major elements:

• emission inventories of all area, point (permitted), and mobile sources of air pollution, and
• control strategies designed to assure that the NAAQS will be met in future years.

Control strategies may include such items as emission limits on permitted facilities, open burning bans, and in the case of vehicle emissions, a motor vehicle emissions budget that place a cap on future allowable vehicle emissions within the nonattainment area.

Metropolitan planning organizations are responsible for preparing long-range transportation plans that project road projects needed to meet transportation needs over a 20-year period. Those projects that are scheduled to be built within three to five years are included in a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which includes a process for approving and funding the projects.

The "conformity process" is the important link between air quality improvement and transportation planning. To conform, an area's long-range transportation plan and TIP must assure that the estimated emissions from the projects will not exceed the emissions limits prescribed in the SIP's motor vehicle emissions budget. Failure to limit emissions within the SIP budget means federally funded highway and transit projects cannot move forward to the construction phase.

Federally funded transportation projects also must show that they will not cause or contribute to new or additional violations at the individual project level.

Air Monitoring

DEQ's Web page on how air quality is evaluated in Idaho, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and attainment and nonattainment areas in Idaho.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

EPA's Web site explaining the pollutants for which NAAQS have been established.

Transportation and Air Quality Planning

EPA's Web site for state and local air quality regulators and transportation planners. Provides access to information on transportation and mobile source incentive-based programs and tools, partnership opportunities, grant funding sources, contact names, and technical assistance.

Vehicle Emissions

DEQ's Web page on vehicle emission testing and fuel efficiency.

Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS)

Information on regional planning activities for Ada and Canyon Counties in Idaho.