Environmentalists worry NPS changes may relax pollution rules

Washington (Platts)--20Oct2005

Environmentalists are worried that language in new rules proposed by the
National Park Service last week could lead to more pollution by power plants
over parklands. 
      NPS released a draft version of its management policies, which includes
a chapter that instructs managers on caring for natural resources. The chapter
alters language in the previous version of the manual by, among other things, 
conservationists, such as shifting the concept of "clear skies" from being an
intrinsic value of a park to an "associated characteristic." 
     Also stripped from the earlier version of the manual is language stating
that "scenic views" are a "highly valued" characteristic. Mark Wenzler, clean
air director for the National Parks Conservation Assn, Wednesday said the new
language, if it survives public review, could have a direct impact on the
"haze rule" the Environmental Protection Agency issued in June, which requires
states to determine by December 2007 the best way to limit emissions from
power plants in order to improve visibility over parks and wilderness areas.  
     Environmentalists are worried that the language in the NPS manual could
lead states to give power plants a break on how much they have to cut their
emissions under the haze rule, said Wenzler. An NPS spokeswoman could not be
reached for comment.
                                    ---Matt Spangler, matt_spangler@platts.com

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