Resource May 3, 2023

Regional Haze Pollution in EPA Region 9

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Strong state regional haze plans are critical to restoring clean air and clear skies to treasured places like Grand Canyon, Redwood and Yosemite National Parks. Unfortunately, states in EPA’s Region 9 are failing to adequately cut air pollution affecting national parks and wilderness areas. EPA’s Region 9, also known as the Pacific Southwest region, includes California, Hawaii, Arizona, and Nevada.

Average Visibility in Miles

Visibility in Saguaro National Park

Visibility in Petrified Forest National Park

There are 156 national parks and wilderness areas designated under the Clean Air Act as “Class 1 areas,” meaning they have some of the highest levels of air quality protection in the country. However, most national park sites are still experiencing poor air quality and diminished visibility.

According to an analysis done by NPCA, Saguaro National Park is the 7th most haze polluted park in the country, while Petrified Forest National Park ranks 13th and Joshua Tree National Park ranks 14th. In addition to haze pollution, ozone levels are often dangerously high in national parks in this region.

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  camera icon © NPCA

The Regional Haze Rule is intended to cut pollution harming skies in these special places. Every ten years, each state must develop a plan to reduce haze-causing emissions from pollution sources within their state. The state agencies then send these plans to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval or disapproval.

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Sources of Haze Pollution in the Pacific Southwest

(Click image to enlarge)

 


WHAT’S POSSIBLE

In the first round of regional haze planning over ten years ago, significant emissions reductions were achieved thanks in large part to advocacy efforts for strong state plans. 1.4 million tons of haze pollution (nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter) each year were eliminated, along with 79 million tons of climate pollution (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide). 146 coal plants were required to either close or clean up.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

The second round of haze planning is currently in progress, and many states around the country are proposing haze plans that do not cut emissions or lead to reasonable progress in reducing haze pollution in our parks. Haze plans that allow polluters to go unchecked put our parks and wilderness areas at stake, along with sensitive ecosystems, public health, and local tourism economies.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Haze pollution is also an issue of environmental justice, as many haze polluters are located in close proximity to overburdened communities. The EPA has directed states, through their haze plans, to take into consideration the intersection of people’s health and historic inequities. Many, if not most, states have not done this. NPCA will continue advocacy to EPA to ensure haze plans capitalize on the opportunity to clean up air for communities that have suffered the brunt of pollution for far too long.

Regional Haze Clear Solutions for Parks Millions of people visit U.S. national parks and wilderness areas each year to see some of the most awe-inspiring views in the world. Visitors imagine national parks as having the freshest air for exercising, relaxing and sharing memories. But over the decades, haze pollution has degraded visibility and harmed public health in our parks and surrounding communities.

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