Air Quality in Wilderness

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- A group of environmentalists has sued the federal government in an effort to force a declaration on the source of air pollution over national parks and wilderness areas in the West.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, contends that emissions from two coal-fired power plants on the Navajo Nation and a third in Washington state have obscured views at places like the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and Mount Rainier.

The nine groups have accused the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Interior Department of unreasonably delaying a response to petitions for formal certification of visibility impairment.

"If DOI and DOA were to grant plaintiffs' petitions, large sources of air pollution that are presently causing visibility impairment in many national parks and wilderness areas would more likely be required to reduce their emissions," the lawsuit said. It was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency already is addressing visibility impairment under a 1999 regional haze rule that covers air pollutants from sources over a wide geographic area.

Read full article here: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_az_parks_air_pollution.html

Industrial air pollution - external threats to wilderness mount

Some of the biggest threats to federally designated wilderness come from outside the wilderness boundary. There are times when those who steward wilderness can adequately address these threats and times when the specific threat is linked to a much bigger environmental issue. A recent op/ed piece in the Duluth News Tribune discusses how industrial air pollution is impacting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, what the causes are and some potential solutions. As wilderness stewards, we have to be aware of both internal and external threats in order to effectively manage and protect the life sustaining benefits and values of wilderness.

From the Duluth News Tribune:

Haze generally is thought of as a city problem. Unfortunately, haze and industrial air pollution also invade our national parks and wilderness areas. One in three national parks across the country suffers from air pollution levels that exceed health standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In Minnesota, haze hangs over the splendor of Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, not only spoiling pristine views but also making the air unhealthy for visitors, plants and wildlife.

Full article here: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/183307/group/Opinion/