Community Center
The physical environment is a crucial component of any individual’s health and wellbeing. Every community needs access to safe air, land and water.
In Lane County, the poorest outdoor air quality is most often attributed to natural sources of pollution like local or distant wildfires. However, air quality can be negatively impacted by human-generated sources, such as inefficient wood stoves and fireplaces, emissions from vehicles, and industrial emissions.
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency is the only local Air Authority in Oregon. LRAPA’s fulltime staff work to achieve and maintain clean air across the county. Supported by our member entities of Lane County, Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, and Oakridge, and guided by our nine-member Board of Directors, we play an active role in community development and planning. Despite an increase in population and traffic, the air quality for Lane County’s metro area has continued to improve since our inception in 1968.
This community page connects to the many programs and resources available from LRAPA.
Upcoming Events
Find meeting dates, times, and agendas on our public calendar. Click here to view.
LRAPA Board of Directors meeting
LRAPA Board of Directors meeting
Board of Directors LRAPA is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors who represent the diverse interests of their respe...
LRAPA Board of Directors meeting
LRAPA Board of Directors meeting
Board of Directors LRAPA is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors who represent the diverse interests of their respe...
LRAPA Citizen Advisory Committee meeting
LRAPA Citizen Advisory Committee meeting
Citizen Advisory Committee LRAPA’s Board of Directors has established a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to advise the...
LRAPA Board of Directors meeting
LRAPA Board of Directors meeting
Board of Directors LRAPA is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors who represent the diverse interests of their respe...
LRAPA Board of Directors meeting
LRAPA Board of Directors meeting
Board of Directors LRAPA is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors who represent the diverse interests of their respe...
News, Notices & Public Calendar
LRAPA holds monthly meetings, which are open to the public, and informational meetings as well as public hearings on commercial and industrial businesses with air permits.
Cleaner Air Oregon
Cleaner Air Oregon is a state-wide program designed to regulate emissions from Hazardous Air Pollutants. New sources beginning operation, or existing sources called into the program by LRAPA, must quantify all air toxic pollutants emitted. A computer then models how these pollutants move across Lane County, to understand who is exposed to them and in what amounts. With this information a health risk assessment is conducted on that exposure which may result in tight regulations of the source. Learn more about this program on LRAPA’s Cleaner Air Oregon webpage.
Air Monitoring In Lane County
LRAPA is responsible for monitoring air quality in Lane County, which is an important but costly function of the agency. Funding from the City of Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, Oakridge, Lane County, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Environmental Protection Agency support eight regulatory grade monitors and over 90 commercial grade monitors throughout the county.
Learn more about LRAPA’s monitors by clicking the button below.
Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke is responsible for causing the worst air quality in Lane County history. As climate change drives a longer and more intense wildfire season, it is important to familiarize yourself with air quality resources and guidelines around wildfire smoke. As well as become familiar with ways to limit smoke exposure during instances of degraded air quality.
Learn more about the health impacts of wildfires and how to minimize wildfire smoke exposure by clicking the button below.
Prescribed Burns
Prescribed Burning is the process of planning and starting a controlled fire to achieve a specific goal. They’re an important part of maintaining healthy ecosystems in Oregon, to defend against wildfires by disposing of built-up fuel loads, and minimizing the spread of invasive species and insects.
Learn more about prescribed burning in Lane County and find the daily prescribed burning map by clicking the button below.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality refers to the quality of air within and around buildings and structures, specifically as it relates to the health and comfort of those inside. Air quality impacts our health and wellbeing, understanding and controlling common pollutants can reduce your exposure and risk associated with indoor air pollution.
Learn more by visiting our Indoor Air Quality webpage.
Public Oversight
LRAPA receives direction and oversight from three independent committees who represent the diverse interests of Lane County’s communities.
- LRAPA’s Board of Directors
- Citizen Advisory Committee
- Budget committee
These are filled by volunteers in Lane County and their meetings are open to the public.
Supplemental Environmental Projects
Community groups and individuals can submit SEP ideas to LRAPA. Once approved a project could be funded as part of a settlement agreement. Do you have an idea for a SEP? Let us know by submitting your idea.
Nondiscrimination Policy
LRAPA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in administration of its programs or activities. LRAPA does not retaliate against any individual because they have exercised their rights to participate in, or oppose actions protected by, 40 CFR Parts 5 and 7 or for the purpose of interfering with such rights.
Read LRAPA’s full nondiscrimination policy and view the agency’s Title VI Documents, Forms, Policies and Procedures on the nondiscrimination webpage.
LRAPA monitors air quality throughout Lane County with eight regulatory-grade monitors and over 90 commercial-grade air sensors. Air Quality Index values are updated hourly.
Clean air is an important component of a healthy community. LRAPA accepts, records, and investigates air quality complaints throughout Lane County.
LRAPA maintains eight regulatory-grade air monitoring stations and over 90 commercial-grade particulate matter sensors throughout Lane County. These air monitors collect air samples and report the data from their respective locations.
Air toxics are those pollutants that cause or may cause cancer or other serious health effects. LRAPA operates two of the nine air toxics monitors in Oregon.
LRAPA regulates the burning of wood and yard debris, known as “outdoor burning,” in Lane County. LRAPA also enforces home wood heating – such as fireplaces and wood stoves – opacity ordinances for the cities of Eugene, Springfield and Oakridge. Seasonal and daily restrictions can exist for both forms of burning.
Burning wood in fireplaces and wood stoves for heat is a common practice in Oregon. However, wood burning creates particulate matter, which is Lane County’s most common form of pollution, and can dramatically degrade air quality during periods of air stagnation.
Outdoor burning is the disposal of woody yard material by burning it. Burning rules vary throughout Lane County depending on location, size of property, weather forecast, and fire danger conditions. LRAPA rules also limit the type and quantity of debris which can be burned.
Recreational fires are the burning of wood in recreational use areas, such as parks, recreational campsites, campgrounds, and on private property. LRAPA rules allow for recreational fires - however recreational fires are prohibited on yellow and red home wood heating advisory days.
LRAPA is responsible for issuing air permits to commercial and industrial operations with emissions above a certain threshold.
Cleaner Air Oregon is a state-wide program designed to regulate emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants. New facilities beginning operation, or current facilities called into the program by LRAPA, are required to quantify all air toxic pollutants emitted from the facility. Then a computer model determines how emitted pollutants move across Lane County, to understand who is exposed to the pollutants and in what amounts. With that information a health risk assessment is conducted of that exposure. 
LRAPA is responsible for issuing air permits to commercial and industrial 
LRAPA is responsible for issuing air permits to commercial and industrial operations with emissions above a certain threshold. LRAPA's air permits have operational requirements that follow Federal, State, and Local regulations that are designed to minimize emissions from businesses.
Oregon's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program requires reporting of greenhouse gas emissions data and related information from major sources including large stationary sources, and liquid fuel, natural gas, propane, and electricity suppliers.
LRAPA has varying forms, documents, and resources that are required or helpful when doing business with the agency. Our forms are posted in relevant and applicable locations throughout our website, as well as in a single repository.
Asbestos is the name of a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are heat-resistant, strong and extremely durable. Asbestos has historically been used in over 4,000 building products because of these properties.
Losing a home to fire is traumatic, both physically and emotionally. 
LRAPA regularly solicits public comment on proposed agency actions such as rule changes, proposed air permits, and the agency’s annual budget. LRAPA also hosts monthly Board of Director and Citizen Advisory Committee meetings.
LRAPA regularly publishes public information on air quality issues such, as new releases, reports, and fact sheets. LRAPA also posts monthly Director reports, monthly Enforcement reports, and yearly annual reports.
The physical environment is a crucial component of any individual’s health and well-being. Every community needs access to safe air, land and water. LRAPA has curated together a collation of topics commonly asked about by the community to provide information, important details, and connect interested community members with resources.
A Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) is an environmentally beneficial project funded by a company or individual to mitigate part of a civil penalty assessed by LRAPA. SEPs are ways a business can choose to benefit the community in which 
LRAPA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in administration of its programs or activities and LRAPA does not retaliate against any individual because they have exercised their rights to participate in, or oppose actions protected by, 40 CFR Parts 5 and 7 or for the purpose of interfering with such rights. 
Wildfire smoke is responsible for creating the worst air quality in Lane County history. As climate change drives a longer and more intense wildfire season, it’s important to familiarize yourself with air quality resources and guidelines around wildfire smoke.
Indoor Air Quality refers to the quality of air within and around buildings and structures, specifically as it relates to the health and comfort of those inside. Air quality impacts our health and wellbeing. Understating and controlling common pollutants can reduce your exposure and risk associated with indoor air pollution.
LRAPA is the local air authority responsible for monitoring Lane County’s air and administering programs that protect and improve air quality.
LRAPA receives direction and oversight from three independent committees who represent the diverse interests of Lane County’s communities. The Board of Directors, the Citizen Advisory Committee, and the Budget Committee. These committees are filled by volunteers in Lane County and their meetings are open to the public.
LRAPA is committed to providing full access to all public records in accordance with Oregon’s Public Records Law and agency regulations. A request for public records is a public record itself and is subject to disclosure under the law.
LRAPA is currently staffed by 19 full-time employees.