Cherokee Nation

1. Cherokee Nation Air Quality Data Management Concepts for Quality Data Collection Ryan Callison

2. EPA Region 6 Tribal Air Grant Objectives* • PRIORITY 1: Produce quality data and submit updated Quality Management Plan and Quality Assurance Project Plans annually. • OUTPUT: QMP and QAPPs • TIMEFRAME: Annual update one year after approval date. • PRIORITY 2: Operate and report data from ambient air monitor networks into the EPA Air Quality System. Each site should have 75% data return for each quarter. • OUTPUT: AQS • TIMEFRAME: Quarterly, no later than 90 days after the end of the • calendar quarter. • PRIORITY 3: Notify EPA Region 6 of any situation (such as monitor malfunction or data validation issue) that results in the loss of more than two consecutive PM-2.5 or PM-10 sampling days or the loss of 120 consecutive hours of any continuous data. Identify the corrective action taken to minimize the loss of data. • OUTPUT: Letter • TIMEFRAME: As soon as possible, but no more than 14 days after the event. * If applicable

3. EPA Region 6 Tribal Air Grant Objectives* • PRIORITY 4: Notify EPA-R6 (6PD-Q) prior to establishing, modifying, relocating, or discontinuing any air monitor and/or site. • OUTPUT: Letter • TIMEFRAME: 30 days prior to change • PRIORITY 5: Conduct ambient air monitoring network reviews (at this point in time, only ITEC and Quapaw Tribe - both having air monitoring networks). Conduct analyses of data to aid in program development/assessment/evaluation. As part of the annual network reviews, consider the impact of the proposed NCore monitoring rules. • OUTPUT: Letter • TIMEFRAME: Annually • PRIORITY 6: Certify all 2005 ambient data and quality assurance data in the Air Quality System (AQS) are complete and accurate. • OUTPUT: Letter with appropriate AQS reports • TIMEFRAME: July 1, 2006 * If applicable

4. EPA Region 6 Tribal Air Grant Objectives* • PRIORITY 7: Actively support and deliver PM-2.5 continuous data into AIRNow. • OUTPUT: AIRNow • TIMEFRAME: Present target is 20 minutes; long-term goal is 5 minutes. • PRIORITY 8: Actively support and deliver PM-10 continuous data into AIRNow. • OUTPUT: AIRNow • TIMEFRAME: Present target is 20 minutes; long-term goal is 5 minutes. • PRIORITY 9: Actively support and deliver ozone data into AIRNow. • OUTPUT: AIRNow • TIMEFRAME: Daily * If applicable

5. General Items • Utilize planner board to track complex projects, timelines, or schedules. • Planner board allows employees to communicate and work around individual work schedules.

6. General Items • Employees know all aspects of the program. Beneficial for possible turn-over and cross training. • The defensibility of the data depends on the quality of documentation!

7. Criteria Pollutant Data • Utilize Memory Sticks for File Management • Level I bi-weekly checks • Quarterly multi-point checks • Meteorological checks

8. Internal QA Documentation • Current and updated Quality Management Plans (QMP’s) • Current and updated Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP’s)

9. Internal QA Procedure • Evaluate Site Daily Reports – Does the data make sense? • Are there alarms or validity flags to be aware of? • Daily & Monthly Data reports kept at both office and field locations. • Log Books kept at all field locations, polling computers, and an AQS entry logbook.

10. Internal QA Procedure • Level I checks conducted bi-weekly at all sites. • Level I checks consist of a zero, span, precision check. • Copies of Level I forms stay onsite for evaluation if needed. (Evaluate performance of analyzers: Are they drifting?) • Nightly Level II checks conducted on all gases at all sites. • Level II checks consist of a zero and span check.

11. Internal QA Procedure • Record keeping is critical! • Both Digital (Master PC) • Hardcopy files • Data Reports • Inventory • Calibration Records • Instrument & gas bottle certifications • Old Logbooks that are full – Keep those! • Independent audit reports • Chain of Custody (COC) Information • Keep Everything: At some point you will need it!

12. External QA Procedure • Primary site operator does not conduct our monthly multi-point gas audits. • Independent quarterly audits provided by a contractor. • EPA National Performance Assessment Program (NPAP)- Through the Probe (TTP) Audits Conducted.

13. PM2.5 Program • Filter cassette log-in sheet tracks filters and critical dates. • Monthly Audits: flow, leak, temperature, pressure checks. • EPA Performance Evaluation Program (PEP) audits conducted quarterly by EPA contractor: Lockheed Martin.

14. PM2.5 Program • Site logbooks maintained. Keep logbook entries consistent. • All electronic files kept on the CNEP “Master” PC. Eliminates hodgepodge file management and inconsistencies. • Master PC stores: • Cassette Log-In Sheets • Ship/Receive Schedule • Sampler daily/monthly data strings • Laboratory Reports • PM2.5 Quarterly Reports • Archived PM2.5 AQS & PARS data

15. CN Provides Independent Audits • Independent evaluation of tribal monitors • Criteria Pollutant, PM, and Meteorological Networks • Provide detailed audit results forms and letters of verification • Make sure the tribe is aware of broken or out of specification equipment

16. Technical Assistance to ITEC Tribes • Independent Audits • AQS assistance • Site registration • Data Entry • AQS training: Access, Uploads, Reports, etc. • Precision & Accuracy (PARS) Training

17. Technical Assistance to Tribes • Network Design • Shelter Engineering • QMP’s & QAPP’s • Technical Training

18. Honorable Mention • AQS Tribal Codes • XML Uploads • Information Exchange

19. Teamwork • Communication is critical to program success!