Protecting Visibility in National Parks and Wilderness Areas

Scenic vistas in most U.S. parklands are diminished by haze that reduces contrast, washes out colors, and renders distant landscape features indistinct or invisible. Protecting Visibility in National Parks and Wilderness Areas describes the current understanding of the nature and extent of haze in various regions of the United States. The book addresses the scientific and legal framework of efforts to protect and improve visibility, as well as methods for assessing the relative importance of anthropogenic emission sources that contribute to haze in national parks and for considering various alternative source control measures. The volume provides guidance on how to make progress toward the national goal of correcting and preventing visibility impairment due to human activities affecting large national parks and wilderness areas. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Visibility Conditions in the United States 3 Legal and Institutional Context 4 Haze Formation and Visibility Impairment 5 Source Identification and Apportionment Methods 6 Emission Controls and Visibility 7 Conclusions and Recommendations References Appendix A: Scientific Background Information Appendix B: Measurement Methods Appendix C: Source Identification and Apportionment Models Appendix D: Control Techniques Appendix E: Comparing Visibility Control Strategies