Issues: How should the OTAG AQA Workgroup define the specific issues it addresses?

Background: The information output of the Air Quality Workgroup needs to support the OTAG Assessment and Policy development processes by producing actionable (productive) knowledge that is relevant, useful and timely for achieving OTAG’s goals. . The general scope of the Air Quality Analysis Workgroup activities has been defined previously by the workgroup co-chairs but the specific technical issues need further clarification and addressing by the members.

Discussion: How do air quality issues arise? Some air quality issues arise during the policy development process and these need to be stated by the policy group. Others arise during air quality data analysis. Hence, both groups have to participate in the formulation of issues. Matching the output of the AQA Workgroup to the needs of the policy group requires two-way interaction., lead by the group co-chairs.

Posing specific policy-relevant air quality issues will encourage the interaction between the Workgroups, support open discussion and consensus building on key issues and it will aid the development of supporting information flow infrastructure.

Recommendation (first iteration): It is recommended that the policy-relevant issues be stated clearly, evaluated by the Workgroup and shared with the other OTAG groups for input and evaluation. The use of the World Wide Web is encouraged for raising issues, public discussions and developing consensus-based recommendations. The specific AQ issues are to be submitted into one of the following topics:

AQAWG -- Questions and possible answers (indicated by *) -- Norfolk mtg 9/25/96

Patterns of Ozone and Precursors over the Eastern U.S.

Transport of Ozone and Precursors

Relationship Between Ozone Concentrations and Sources