OCR Text |
Show EPA Clean Air Proposals Would Affect Garfield Under Environmental Protection Agencies Significant Deterioration of Air Quality regulations which were published in the Federal Register Dec. 5, 1974, three classes of area designation were defined for Utah. Two of the classes (Classes I and II) were defined by either completely restricting or limiting any type of development that would have any degradation of air quality and the protection of visibility. Class III applies to those areas in which deterioration to the ambient standard would be allowed. As a result of this classification, regions such as national parks, monuments, primitive and wilderness study areas, were designated as Class , I. lands In which the national ambient air standards for sulfur dioxide and or particulates were exceeded was designated as Class III and the rest of the land was dassed II, making the majority of Utah and Garfield County Class II, limited industrial growth. The State of Utah is proposing a redeslgnatlon of lands to Include areas containing natural resources (water, coal, oil, oil shale, alunite, beryllium, etc.) into the Class III classification, allowing essential industrial and commercial development with existing emission requirements keeping deterioration of air quality to a minimum. It is estimated that less than five percent of the population of Utah resides in the areas proposed for redeslgnatlon to Class III. However, the potential for growth is very high. Expanded energy and mineral development seems to be a certainty. It is impossible for energy and refining process development and associated urbanization to occur, even with application of best available control technology, unless redeslgnatlon to Class ID can be accomplished It is not known how many of the mineral and energy resources in Utah will remain available to the nation as a result of this action. It does seem dear, however, that all of the state's scenic and recreational attractions will remain, making them available as an important national natural resource. The purpose of the redesignating of some areas of the state to classes I or III is to provide for State and local planners a definition of areas in which industry could be sited. The state does not wish to be a poverty-ridden region because of constraints which are too tight to allow the needed economy base. |