Special to the PVT The new monitoring equipment will aid in future pollution enforcement. Advertisement

TECOPA, Calif. -- A new trailer took up residence in the Tecopa Hot Springs campground recently, with a number of very unusual features: Besides its tall, boxy shape and lack of windows, it sports a 35-foot telescoping instrument tower, solar panel, antennas and a range of unusual looking devices.

The sign on the side says, "Air Quality Monitoring Station, Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District. For information, call 760-872-8211."

The monitoring station will log data on wind speed and direction, temperature and barometric pressure. But most important of all, it will track quantities and trends of PM-10 (particulate matter 10 microns and below), the unit of measurement for air pollution enforcement. Additional tests may be conducted to determine radioactivity, if any, of collected samples.

In late February, Tecopa resident Jennifer Viereck photographically documented significant volumes of air pollution generated by recreation at the Dumont Dunes area, extending from well south of Baker and north to Shoshone.

Two Tecopa-based organizations then approached Great Basin Air asking for help with air quality monitoring. Viereck also presented a PowerPoint slide show to a range of concerned local agencies and nonprofits, with CD copies provided to Great Basin Air and 5th District Supervisor Richard Cervantes.

Cervantes is the current chairman of the Board for Great Basin Air and was helpful in getting the issue recognized and addressed promptly.

Unlike the other 10 air monitoring stations maintained by Great Basin, this one was specifically designed to provide rapid response and mobility in times of emergencies or other needs. The station should remain in place through Thanksgiving and possibly longer.