One of the things that people love about the great outdoors is pure and clean air. But latest EPA ozone regulations on air pollution are trying to bring our attention to the air pollution in National Parks.
Changes to these laws have caused a total of 26 National Parks in the United States to fail in terms of compliance. This is bad news to over 292 million campers and outdoor enthusiasts who love visiting these parks all around the country each year. Whether you camp in your RV or use a tent, air pollution is an all-encompassing concern that affects everyone!
National Parks Service Need to Be More Concerned About Air Quality
At the time that National Parks Services has been confronted about this growing concern, the blame was automatically pointed on the power plants that surround most National Parks in the U.S.
Chief of Education and Outreach at National Park Service Jeffrey Olson said that it’s not about the trucks or cars that produce these pollutants which are carried further by the prevailing winds, it’s about the coal-fired power plants that produce electricity. These are responsible for the pollutants that are carried by the prevailing winds towards great distances which further causes pollution in the air. Air Quality is greatly reduced in National Parks or any other area that is located downwind from those plants.
Scientists in different states also blame the pollution of the air in National Parks to the smokes that cars and traffic produce and locals, tourists and even forest fires that occur within the area where these parks are located.
The State’s Responsibility in Correcting Air Quality
No matter what’s causing the reduction of air quality in the parks, the National Parks Services has put the responsibility of adjusting policies in order to fix these problems to the state where the park is located.
Olson further stated that it is the state’s duty to implement every single provision found in the Clean Air Act. Plans then need to be put up to show how compliance with the existing policies and regulations for ozone standard can be ensured. More information about this can be found in the EPA website so feel free to visit it to know more about the air quality in National Parks today. Information on commercial parks that have better air quality is also available on the website.
Start Planning Your Next Trip Now!
Once you’ve zeroed in the area where you want your next camping adventure would be, you can book in advance using different campsite booking websites. Most of the time, the process is as easy as breathing pure and fresh air.