The USDA Forest Service (FS) is an active partner in the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, maintaining 35 air quality monitoring sites, primarily within the National Trends Network. Individual administrative units within the FS operate and maintain sites, whereas sample analysis and shipping is funded by the agency's Research and Development office at FS headquarters. Concerns about the vulnerability of site operation and maintenance during continuing agency wide staff shortages and constrained budgets, prompted an agency-wide review of the motivations and challenges faced by our operators and their supervisors. The review was implemented as standardized interviews with staff at 34 sites on Forest Service lands. We found that operators and their supervisors are motivated by a sophisticated understanding of the value of long-term air quality data, and personal commitments to providing high quality data. Key challenges reported included limited funds for equipment maintenance and funding, competing time commitments, and physically demanding travel, particularly during adverse winter conditions. Operators welcomed increased direction from the FS Washington Office and NADP Program Office. This review highlights the important contributions of operators and managers to land stewardship. Their insights can help guide and prioritize actions to maintain the agency's long-term commitment to the NADP and may be helpful to other NADP participants facing similar challenges.

¹ USDA Forest Service, Research and Development, Atmospheric Sciences and Fire Weather Research, Washington, DC

² USDA Forest Service, National Forest System, Air Resource Management, Washington, DC

* Corresponding Author: brian.izbicki@usda.gov