2021 Air Quality Targets

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program was implemented to support surface transportation projects and other related efforts that contribute to air quality improvements and provide congestion relief. Funding can be applied to projects that reduce ozone precursor emissions (including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC)), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) emissions.

With adoption of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, Congress made great strides in America's efforts to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). One year later, Congress adopted the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act-the ISTEA of 1991. This far- reaching legislation brought transportation into the multi-modal arena and also set the stage for an unprecedented focus on environmental programs. Part of this approach was the newly authorized Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program.

Jointly administered by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the CMAQ program was reauthorized under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act in 2015. As with its predecessor’s legislation, the FAST Act provides funding to areas in nonattainment or maintenance for ozone, carbon monoxide, and/or particulate matter.

While project eligibility largely remains the same, the legislation places considerable emphasis on diesel engine retrofits and other efforts that underscore the priority on reducing fine particle pollution (PM 2.5).

West Memphis MPO - CMAQ Performance Plan  - Memphis, TN-MS-AR Urbanized Area September 2020

West Memphis - Marion Area Transportation Study 2020 -   Annual listing of Federally Obligated Projects Federal Fiscal Year 2020