Aug. 20, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 381 

For further information, contact Jack Sipple, PA/Visibility SIP Program Coordinator, Air Quality Management Section, 302-739-9402, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC to Hold Sept. 23 Public Hearing on Plan to Improve Visibility in Designated Federal Areas

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Air Quality Management Section will conduct a public hearing on a proposed state implementation plan for reducing visibility impairing pollutants at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Priscilla Building, 156 South State Street, Dover. 

The federal Clean Air Act mandates protection of visibility in federal areas designated as “Class I,” such as national parks, forests and wilderness areas. Pursuant to federal rules, states are required to develop a series of state implementation plans (SIPs) to reduce visibility impairment with the express intent that by 2064 the visibility in the Class I areas will be returned to natural conditions.  

This proposed SIP is the first SIP in this national process, and it establishes that Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey is the only Class I area that Delaware significantly impacts. (Delaware has no Class I areas.) In addition, Delaware will directly benefit from this and similar actions being taken in other states, as the same pollutants that reduce visibility in these Class I federal areas also impact the air quality in all portions of Delaware. 

Visibility impairment is primarily caused by sulfur dioxide, produced by power plants and other combustion sources, and to a lesser degree, primary particles and other particle precursors. These particles and particle precursors are transported from broad geographic areas, and are emitted from many sources, including industry, automobiles and other transportation, and wildfire and agricultural burning emissions. The goals and emissions reduction strategies in the plan demonstrate that existing enforceable state and federal regulations and control measures meet long term strategies and “reasonable progress goals” established as part of the regional consultation process. 

The proposed SIP may be reviewed at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/whs/awm/Info/Regs/Pages/AQMPlansRegs.aspx, or by contacting Jack Sipple at 302-739-9402 or john.sipple@state.de.us. The proposed SIP also may be inspected at the Department’s offices located at 156 S. State Street, Dover and 715 Grantham Lane, New Castle.

Interested parties may submit comments in writing on this proposed plan prior to the public hearing and/or comments may be presented either orally or in writing at the public hearing. If you are unable to attend the public hearing or wish to submit your comments in advance of the public hearing, please address your comments to: Jack Sipple, DNREC Air Quality Management Section, 156 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901.