BISMARCK, N.D. (NDDEQ) – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality adopted revised regulations to improve air quality in national parks and wilderness areas on Wednesday, August 10.
“Available data shows North Dakota’s air quality has been improving,” the department stated. “In fact, North Dakota continues to be one of a few states that meet or exceed all federal air quality standards. The North Dakota Regional Haze Plan Revision complies with federal law and helps ensure continued protection of the vistas in our National Parks and wilderness areas.”
State environmental engineers and scientists completed a detailed analysis, vetted different scenarios, and processed public comments to build an implementation plan which will meet or exceed the current high level of air quality maintained in North Dakota. Environmental Quality Director David Glatt said, “We are confident that North Dakota’s Regional Haze Plan will ensure North Dakota remains on a good path that protects and improves visibility while meeting federal law.”
North Dakota Environmental Quality has primacy over federal environmental law. Each state has to submit a regional haze plan every ten years.