DENVER—Colorado air-quality regulators have approved a voluntary plan designed to reduce pollution that threatens fish and fragile high-altitude plant life in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Air Quality Control Commission agreed Thursday on a timetable for reducing nitrogen levels in the park in five-year-increments until 2032. None of the limits are mandatory, and the plan relies in voluntary action.
“All we do by endorsing this is acknowledge that there is a problem,” Commissioner Jon Slutsky said.
Scientists say nitrogen levels in the popular park about 60 miles northwest of Denver are 15 to 20 times the amount found in nature. They believe farm fertilizers and pollution from cars, trucks and power plants are among the causes.
They have warned the pollution could cause fish die-offs and permanent environmental changes.
Air quality commission member Barbara called the plan an important first step.
“This is a voluntary, collaborative effort to take some very hard looks at the science and to see what can be achieved,” she said.
Park Superintendent Vaughn Baker said the plan is “a significant milestone.”
“This is the first time the feds and the state have worked together with a plan that targets a park,” he said.
The 266,000-acre park has 60 peaks higher than 12,000 feet and is home to elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, bears and eagles. It attracts about 3 million visitors a year.
———
On the Net:
Rocky Mountain National Park:
Colorado Air Quality Control Commission:
