Air is an Integrating Resource
Air is inseparable from all other resources.
It is the key component linking virtually all living and non-living components
of the earth. The Forest Service works to protect air quality by
working with industry and regulators, monitoring air and the resources
affected
by air pollution and by providing the public with information about
air quality. Poor air quality decreases visibility, acidifies or
disrupts the
natural balance in lakes and streams, injures plant and animal
communities and harms human health.
Progress has been made toward improving air quality across the United
States since the enactment of the Clean Air Act in 1977. But air
quality on Forest lands and even wilderness areas is far from pristine.
As the human population with its resulting urbanization and industrialization
continue to grow, the Forest Service Air Program must understand
how air quality affects resources in order to work cooperatively
with industry, state and federal groups to prevent and reduce air
pollution and its effects to natural resources and human health.
The Forest Service monitors the effects of pollution that may impair
visibility, harm human health, injure trees and other plants, acidify
or cause unnatural fertilization of streams and lakes, leach nutrients
from soils, and degrade cultural resources, like archeological sites
and historical buildings. Forest activities that can affect air quality
such as prescribed burning, ski areas, and mining are also monitored
to ensure compliance with air regulations for human health and to
monitor possible impacts to natural resources.
Vision and Mission Statement
The Air Program envisions a healthy environment for current and
future generations where natural processes can occur. We believe
that:
- the health of humans and ecosystems are inseparable;
- clean air is essential; and
- science is a foundation for taking action.
The Mission of the Air Program is to provide sound counsel on air
quality issues to Forest Service decision makers.
Image Credits: Image used on this site are taken from the Wilderness.net image library. Individual credits include: Peter Druschke, Russ Finley, Tom Iraci, Tom Kaffine, C.S. Kvern, Michael Olwyler, Steve Peel, Nick Teague, Josh Whitmore.
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