On August 16th, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission endorsed a nitrogen deposition reduction plan for Rocky Mountain National Park that represents a significant milestone toward improving air quality in the park.
Using a collaborative approach, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 (EPA), and the NPS worked successfully to develop the reduction plan. A public participation process facilitated by a Colorado Air Quality Control Commission subcommittee helped to involve the public, and a memorandum of understanding was used to guide the initiative’s progress and the development of this plan.
Rocky Mountain National Park has established a resource management goal for nitrogen deposition in the park that is supported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the NPS, and EPA. This goal is based on sound, peer-reviewed scientific research, using data gathered in the park for the past two decades.
There is still a long way to go to achieve nitrogen reduction goals, but an important framework has been established. The agencies initially focused their efforts on voluntary approaches, together with programs that are pending or underway, in lieu of developing a new regulatory program to achieve nitrogen deposition reductions. The agencies believe this strategy has the potential to provide benefits in the near term to reduce nitrogen deposition. However, the agencies support a process to require regulatory measures specific to reducing nitrogen deposition if voluntary and anticipated reductions prove insufficient in making planned progress goals under this plan. Development and implementation of a contingency plan is one mechanism supported by the agencies to ensure reduction of adverse ecosystem impacts in the park.
The following website, coordinated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, has more information about the plan and process: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/rmnp.html
