Clear the Air in America's National Parks

Our national parks--and their visitors--are threatened by dirty air. Ground-level ozone, formed mostly in the summer months from automobile, industrial, and coal-fired power plant pollution, is one of the most deadly forms of air pollution and has a history of catastrophic consequences for people and parks. Across the United States park ecosystems show damage from ozone pollution.

However, new, stronger ground-level ozone rules from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could protect both parks and people, but protection is not guaranteed. The EPA has proposed a range of standards, from more to most protective. Big polluters and others will pressure EPA to adopt the weakest possible standards, and we can help counter that pressure by explicitly stating our support for the strongest standards. That's why we're suggesting you specify the precise standard you support in the letter you send to EPA. For more information on the range of standards proposed by EPA, please see EPA's Ozone Fact Sheet by clicking on the "Tell me more" link. Please contact EPA and let them know you care!

Tell me more

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I'm writing to comment on the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to revise the air quality standards for ground-level ozone. America's national parks are at risk: every summer visitors and the parks alike are harmed by ozone pollution. Our national parks should be a place of refuge during the summer months, but today many Americans, especially children, the elderly, and people with asthma, heart, and lung issues, are unable to safely hike or bike in many of our national parks due to ozone levels. I hope you will choose the standard that is most protective of park visitor health. Make every day in America's national parks a safe day to visit for every American.

I hope you will also consider the value of protecting national park ecosystems. Ozone pollution from coal-fired power plants and automobiles has long damaged multiple species of plants and trees and the wildlife that depend on them. From the Great Smoky Mountains to Yosemite, ground-level ozone pollution threatens the long-term sustainability of America's parks.

Our parks and the public deserve the most protective and science-based standards.  I therefore urge you to set the "primary" ground-level ozone standard at .060 parts per million to protect public health, and the "secondary" ground-level ozone standard at 7 ppm-hours to protect healthy parks and ecosystems.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important proposal.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Take Action on this Issue

Send this message to:

Administrator Lisa Jackson

Complete the following to send this message. If you have participated before, just type in your email address then submit the form.

Email:*

Prefix:

First Name:*

Last Name:*

Address Line 1:*

Address Line 2:

City:*

State/ Province:

ZIP/Postal Code:*

Country:*

Yes, I would like to receive a copy of this letter

Yes! Sign me up for news and alerts, including NPCA's monthly e-newsletter, Park Lines.

* Required Field