TELL CONGRESS NOT TO CUT PARK BUDGETS

National parks are home to some of America’s most epic wild places and cultural and historic sites. These places need clean air and a healthy climate to flourish. Yet air pollution and climate change are some of the most serious threats to the health of our parks today. According to our new study, 98% of national parks are affected by haze pollution.

The problems caused by air pollution include weakening the health of plants and animals and permanently harming ecosystems. Our study found that 96% of parks have air that is significantly affecting sensitive species and natural habitats. Moreover, air pollution is ruining scenic views and negatively affecting not only park visitors’ health and enjoyment but the health of communities across the country.

The Regional Haze Rule, a program of the Clean Air Act, is one of our best tools to ensure clean air and clear skies for our parks and wilderness areas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the power to ensure clean air and clear skies for our national parks and wilderness areas and our communities across the country.

Urge EPA to ensure all states are held accountable for reducing air pollution emissions within their boundaries. It is time for strong regional haze plans in every state.

*A personalized message is especially effective.

This message will be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency:

Administrator

Michael

Regan

Environmental Protection Agency

{contact_data~title} {contact_data~firstName} {contact_data~lastName} {contact_data~suffix},

As a park advocate concerned about harmful air and climate pollution that diminishes the health and well-being of our national parks and communities, I write today to thank you for strengthening the national air quality annual standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the final regulations to curb methane emissions from oil and gas facilities around the country. Combined, these new regulations will help to reduce haze pollution in national parks, lessen the impact of air pollution on fragile park resources and cut some of the most potent pollution driving climate change on our planet from which our parks suffer.

Though these rules are a great step forward towards clearer skies and healthier parks, I also urge strong and swift action on the Regional Haze Rule as you continue to work on clearing our parks and communities of air pollution. This rule is one of our best tools to clear the air and restore scenic views in our parks and wilderness areas, but EPA has yet to take determinative action on over 30 regional haze state plans; it is high time for strong action to be taken on these plans holding states and polluters accountable for their visibility impairing emissions.

Most states have failed to submit sufficient plans to cut pollution or make any reasonable progress toward the visibility goals of the haze program – I am counting on EPA to hold these states accountable because clean air and clear views matter to my experience of national parks.

Thank you for working towards clean air for parks, wilderness areas and communities for generations to come.

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name},
{user_data~City}, {user_data~State} {user_data~Zipcode}

EPA: clear our parks and communities of air pollution.

This message will be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency:

Your Info: