Guidelines for evaluating air pollution impacts on class I wilderness areas in the Pacific Northwest.

Abstract

Forest Service air resource managers in the Pacific Northwest are responsible for protecting class 1 wilderness areas from air pollution. To do this, they need scientifically defensible information to determine critical concentrations of air pollution having the potential to impact class 1 wilderness values. This report documents the results of a workshop where current information on air pollution effects on aquatic and terrestrial resources and visibility was gathered from participating scientists and managers. Critical air pollution concentrations were determined for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. Critical values for sulfur and nitrogen deposition to forest ecosystems are listed.

Citation

Peterson, J.; Schmoldt, D.; Peterson, D.; Eilers, J.; Fisher, R.; Bachman, R. 1992. Guidelines for evaluating air pollution impacts on class I wilderness areas in the Pacific Northwest. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-299. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 83 p