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Air Quality

Resources for local governments
Air Quality

Local governments play a vital role in protecting community health and environmental quality, and a wide range of resources is available to help them address air quality challenges. These include guidance documents, data tools, and technical assistance programs that support planning, monitoring, and community engagement. Agencies often provide access to air monitoring data, emissions inventories, and modeling tools that help officials understand current conditions and anticipate potential issues.

In addition to technical tools, many federal and state programs offer grants for air monitoring equipment, pollution‑reduction projects, and community outreach initiatives. Training materials and best‑practice guides can also help local governments develop ordinances, advance clean transportation projects, and support industrial compliance. By leveraging these resources, communities can strengthen their capacity to address air quality concerns and implement strategies that promote long‑term environmental health.

Kaitlyn DeVries

Air Quality Outreach Specialist

DeVriesK1@Michigan.gov 517-599-1938

Air Quality Division District Office Contacts

Resources

  • Asbestos

    Communities depend on proper oversight to ensure asbestos in public buildings is correctly identified, monitored, and safely managed.

  • Open burning

    Oversight ensures debris burning follows required permits and limits, reducing smoke, odors, and other air‑quality impacts from uncontrolled fires.

  • Managing fugitive dust

    Effective oversight ensures fugitive dust is controlled through suppression and monitoring, reducing particulate emissions and protecting air quality.

  • Facility specific information

    Shares information on Michigan air‑regulated facilities, including permits, inspections, tests, and enforcement.

Programs

Plain language explanations of the most common topics local governments need support with.

Looking for specific laws and rules?

  • A large industrial factory with multiple smokestacks emitting a thick white smoke into the air

    Air monitoring

    Local air monitoring programs are a cornerstone of effective air quality management, involving long-term measurement of pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and air toxics to assess ambient conditions where people live, work, and play.

    In Michigan, for example, EGLE operates over 100 monitors across 40+ locations as part of its State Implementation Plan, providing data to ensure compliance with national standards, identify pollution trends, support forecasting, and evaluate community exposure through the MiAir dashboard.

    These monitoring efforts adhere to strict EPA guidelines (including 40 CFR Part 58) and feed into national databases like the Air Quality System, informing public advisories, policy development, and environmental research.

  • A blazing orange sunrise struggling to be seen through thick layers of wildfire smoke

    Air quality permits

    Air quality permits outline the emission limits and operating requirements that facilities must follow to protect public health and comply with state and federal air standards.

    In Michigan, these permits—processed through EGLE’s MiEnviro Portal—ensure new and existing sources meet regulatory expectations while providing opportunities for public review and transparency.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

  • What air pollutants are monitored in Michigan?

  • Does a local fire department have to receive permission from EGLE to burn a structure for fire training?

  • Is EGLE working with Canada on wildfire smoke pollution?

  • What should residents do if they have dust complaints or concerns during demolition?

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)Search our FAQ database