Natural History Wanderings

National Parks Conservation Association News Release

In response to legal action by Earthjustice, Environment Integrity Project, the National Parks Conservation Association and Sierra Club, the Environmental Protection Agency published notice of a proposed consent decree that includes deadlines for the agency to take action on 33 states’ plans to reduce haze pollution that harms air quality in national parks and wilderness areas.

After over a decade of urging EPA and state agencies to protect clean air in and around public lands, the proposed consent decree represents a tangible, welcome step forward in fulfilling the Clean Air Act’s mandate to eliminate haze pollution in national parks and wilderness areas.

Haze, centered in the groups’ legal challenge, is a major concern for 98 percent of national parks in the United States. The same pollutants responsible for the widespread air pollution also harm public health, particularly in communities experiencing targeted, systemic racism from polluting industries. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels and other sources worsens community health, increases healthcare costs and harms nature and sensitive ecosystems on public lands.

Read more Proposed Haze Pollution Consent Decree Sets Schedule to Improve Visibility in National Parks and Wilderness Areas · National Parks Conservation Association