Transboundary Monitoring Network
Estevan, Saskatchewan-Burke County, North Dakota

1999-2000 Report

July 2002

Executive Summary

In response to concerns expressed by the United States about possible transboundary air pollution and in keeping with the United States-Canada Air Quality Agreement, representatives from both countries began working together to investigate these concerns and to identify potential solutions. Members of the Saskatchewan-North Dakota Transboundary Monitoring Group designed and put in place a fully operational monitoring network.

The purpose of the network is to characterize the transboundary flow of particulate matter (PM) and precursor gases, and to monitor changes in the air quality over time. The network consists of five sites jointly operated by SaskPower, Sask Water, and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDH).

The Boundary Dam Power Station (BDPS), Short Creek, and Lignite sites were operational and collecting data by the end of 1999. During 2000, the Estevan and Rafferty Dam sites became operational and began collecting data. The data is reported quarterly by the NDDH and is added to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) AIRS-AQS database and the Canadian NatChem database.

Examination of the 1999-2000 data showed that no air quality standards were exceeded at any of the sites.

Data from the BDPS site is not included in this report. Analysis of the data from this site revealed that the location is best suited as a source-specific site; therefore the data from the BDPS site cannot be compared to results obtained at the other transboundary monitoring sites. Data from this site will be presented in a future report.

The detailed Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for the network was not completed in 1999-2000. There are a number of regional differences that must still be identified and understood. Work is ongoing to come to a consensus on the plan. In the interim, the network is following the NDDH USEPA-approved QAPPs.

A public meeting took place in Lignite, North Dakota on June 16, 2000. Concerned citizens had the opportunity to obtain information from members of the Monitoring Group and ask questions about the air and water quality in the transboundary region.

Use the following link to view the full report in PDF format on the Government of Saskatchewan site.

For more information, you can also visit the North Dakota Department of Health site.

This publication can be ordered from the Environment Canada Inquiry Centre. Please indicate complete title when ordering.