U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURESECTION III-1

Natural Resources Conservation ServiceQuality Criteria

Tennessee – Rev. 1 – May 2002Technical Guide

AIR

C.AIR

Air resources consist of two major considerations:

1.QUALITY

2.CONDITION

RESOURCE CONCERNS /

DEFINITIONS

/

QUALITY CRITERIA

/ ASSESSMENT TOOLS

C. AIR

1. Quality
a. Airborne
Sediment and
Smoke
Particles / Airborne sediment, smoke, and particulate levels that degrade air quality within or outside the planning area to unsafe or unhealthy levels. /
  • Good visibility is maintained near populated areas.
  • The lifespan of equipment and structures are not shortened.
  • Federal and/or state air quality standards for human/animal health are met.
/
  • Prescribed Burn Plan
  • Local Air Quality Indices
  • Monitoring Data for Particulate Matter (Clean Air Act Monitoring)

b. Airborne
Chemical Drift / Airborne chemical drift of agricultural chemicals applied above the ground surface. /
  • Follow state and University of Tennessee regulations.
  • Prevent damage or harm to non-target plants and animals.
/
  • Visual Observation
  • No Plant Damage near Application Areas
(Note: Modeling is being worked on for chemical drift.)
c. Airborne Odors / Objectionable odors originating in the planning area from sources such as confined livestock, animal waste, waste storage areas, field application of animal waste, and other agricultural organic compounds. /
  • Intensity and duration of odors do not contribute to problems such as continuing complaints.
  • Planned practices are in compliance with local and/or state laws.
  • Reasonable odor control measures are employed on the farm.
/
  • On-site Determination
  • No Complaints from Neighbors
  • NRCS-Agricultural Waste Field Handbook

2. Condition
a. Air Temperature / Activities within the planning area that adversely affect air temperature for human health as well as the health, growth, and production of plants and animals. / Problems are alleviated or minimized that limit suitable air temperature. /
  • On-site Determination

b. Air Movement / Activities within the planning area that adversely affect air movement for human health as well as the health, growth, and production of plants and animals. / Acceptable and desired air movement in the planned area is achieved. /
  • On-site Determination
  • NRCS-Agricultural Waste Field Handbook

c. Humidity / Activities within the planning area that adversely affect air humidity for human health as well as the health, growth, and production of plants and animals. / Acceptable and desired levels of relative humidity are achieved. /
  • Not Available