Clean air is an important natural resource that is often overlooked until pollution problems become evident. Emissions from car exhausts, road dust, slash burning, fireplaces, and smoke stacks have several negative side effects. Specifically, these activities reduce visibility, increase the amount of particulate in the air and in some cases, create bad odors. Human health and aesthetic values can be compromised by poor air quality. Therefore, the Tribes have committed staff and resources to evaluate and protect air quality for all Reservation residents.
The Tribal Air Quality Program was established in 1979 to monitor Reservation Air Quality. Air quality staff were hired and monitoring stations were established across the Reservation. One full time program manager currently works in the program. Increasing residential development and population growth on the Reservation has caused growing concern over air pollution from wood smoke.
Mission Statement: "To establish and provide a database for future reference pertaining to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' air quality.."
Air Quality Hotline:
If you have a concern with air quality on the Flathead Indian Reservation or would like to voice a complaint concerning smoke related issues please call Mr. Randy Ashley, Air Quality Program Manager at (406) 675-2700, extension 7213. You can also email Mr. Ashley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Normal Office hours are Monday - Thursday , 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
If there is no answer, please leave a detailed message. You can remain anonymous.
Tribal Environmental Exchange Network Monitoring Operation for Polson and Ronan, Montana
Polson Daily Summary Report: https://www.qrest.net/Home/ReportDaily/9e31e6f6-67de-445c-a95d-a815034b91f1
Ronan Daily Summary Report: Coming soon
Polson Monitoring Site:
Ronan Monitoring Site: Coming soon
TREX Network:
Volkswagen Tribal Trust Settlement
Following the 2015 U.S. EPA citation of Volkswagen, the United States reached a settlement in 2016 resolving allegations that Volkswagen used “defeat devices” to violate emissions standards by selling diesel vehicles with those devices. The settlement was for $14.7 billion. As part of that settlement tribes were successful in establishing a set aside of the mitigation funds of $55 million.
On June 29, 2020 the Confederated Salish & Kootenai tribes received notice of their eligible status for Designated Beneficiary for the Third Funding Cycle. In November 2020, monies were disbursed to the tribe to partially satisfy the submitted Eligible Mitigation Action. The CS&KT will satisfy the Volkswagen Beneficiary by compiling semiannual reports.
Please contact the Lead Agency which is the Air Quality office if you have any questions on the tribal participation in the VW Settlement.
For more information:
- Volkswagen Clean Air Act Civil Settlement
- Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust
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Contact: Air Quality
406-675-2700 ext. 7213 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Additional links
Beneficiary status:
https://www.vwenvironmentalmitigationtrust.com/tribe-trust/cskt