Air Quality

At the request of state Sen. David Langhorst, ESPRI testified on SB 1142 to establish Air Quality Councils, specifically for the Treasure Valley, during the legislative session. Walt Snyder testified about the services and talents ESPRI and other entities at Boise State could provide such a council.

Senate Bill 1142

Re: Air Quality Councils - esp. Treasure Valley AQC

Walter Snyder (Director) and Sarah Bigger (Associate Director) The Environmental Science and Public Policy Research Institute (ESPRI) Boise State University

The development of Air Quality Councils for the state of Idaho, and in particular the Treasure Valley, corresponds with the goals and perspectives of the Environmental Science and Public Policy Research Institute (ESPRI) of Boise State University. This perspective is one of utilizing a collaborative and science-based approach to help solve environmental issues. The stated goal of the Air Quality Councils in the bill is laudatory in that they will help to: ". . . protect, preserve, and where necessary, improve air quality . . . while accommodating private, public and commercial activities". This is exactly this type of partnership among state and local agencies and the private sector that is needed. If this bill is passed, ESPRI would welcome the opportunity to work with the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council, and others, because this type of partnership is at the core of ESPRI's mission and matches Boise State's goal to continue to expand its involvement with the community and the state. ESPRI can work with the Council to facilitate all aspects of the collaborative process, and conduct and coordinate studies as outlined in the legislation, and directed by the Council.

What is ESPRI?

The Environmental Science and Public Policy Research Institute (ESPRI) at Boise State University was approved by the State Board of Education in 2002 to serve as an independent and objective resource to aid informed, public policy development and decision making through the utilization of science, technology, and policy analysis. ESPRI's focus is to accomplish this goal by working with state and federal agencies, industry, other groups and universities. ESPRI is designed as an interdisciplinary, science-informed collaborative center that provides: 1) support for decision makers, managers and community groups on projects and issues, 2) forums for discussion, education and consensus building, 3) commissioned white papers, and 4) project-level science analysis and research.

ESPRI's capabilities include data compilation and hosting, GIS expertise, development of reports and white papers on requested topics, facilitating meetings, forums, and day-to-day tasks of projects and for outside groups. ESPRI is designed to be a resource that will help to cross-cut boundaries -- federal, state, and local -- and that targets bringing together all stakeholders to help build a more effective approach to environmental stewardship. It is important to note that ESPRI does not advocate any position, rather it works in collaboration with other organizations and groups - in short, it is a service for the community and state.

How can ESPRI contribute to the Air Quality Councils?

ESPRI can facilitate most activities of the Air Quality Councils - specifically the Treasure Valley AQC. As stated in the bill (SB1142), using the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council as an example, the councils must:

Senate bill specifically calls for a number of science-based studies to be conducted as part of the development of an air quality plan. These studies include:

ESPRI has the capacity to serve the council as its primary staff for both executive/ administrative functions, conduct or coordinate needed research, and facilitate the council's executive actions. To prevent duplicative efforts, ESPRI will work with DEQ to complete required studies, identify research gaps, conduct necessary research, and independently review already completed studies as requested by the Council (DEQ has welcomed this collaboration). Because the Council will only meet periodically, ESPRI can serve as a more constant liaison or facilitator between the Council and other agencies, groups, universities, and the private sector. It can help set-up, coordinate, and facilitate Council meetings, forums and the citizens committees. It can coordinate any science studies desired by the Council, including those by other universities and organizations. What ESPRI won't do is advocate positions or actions - that is the purview of the Council.

This page last reviewed May 2006