The University of Montana has signed on to conduct an air-quality study for a coalition of residents in the North Fork area.

The North Fork Road Coalition for Health and Safety originally sought the contracted services of UM Professor Tony Ward to conduct a study of dust pollution on the North Fork Road.

Now the study will be carried out through the university's Center for Environmental Health Sciences, with Ward leading the project.

The study will quantify the volume of dusty pollution coming off the road during the peak tourist season and particulate matter generated during lower traffic months.

Monitoring instruments will collect samples at various points along the road and inside vehicles during the study, and samples will be analyzed for potential environmental and human harm.

The coalition was formed last year solely to address the dust pollution problem on the road.

The coalition, according to a press release from the group, "believes the environmental, health and safety impacts of the North Fork Road are detrimental, especially considering the increasing traffic flow it continues to experience each year. Dr. Ward has visited the North Fork area and agrees this road merits close scrutiny."

One of the group's organizers, Bob Grimaldi, said the membership has varying views on how to address the problem. Some want the entire road paved, while other members have reservations about any paving.

"All of the roads around Glacier National Park experience increased use by visitors in the summer but the North Fork Road is the only unpaved access road to the park," the press release says. The coalition "is seeking participation by all parties in hopes of sharing the burden of a solution so that all may enjoy a clean, safe and healthy environment."

Using member donations, the coalition will finance the $10,000 study. The final report from the university is due in January 2008.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com