Haze effecting BWCAW & Voyageur National Park
Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), which is in Northern Minnesota and the nearby Voyageur National Park, are both being effected by air particulates build-up in the regions air. When air particulate percentages are low, the average visibility is 130 miles (209 km). When the air particulate percentage is high, the visibility can be reduced to less than 30 miles (48 km). This is not what most folks that make arrangements to spend time in either the BWCAW or Voyageur have in mind when they plan their trip.
Following the directive from Congress & the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota has be ordered to come up with a solution. This is not just about Minnesota but is part of a larger attempt to improve visibility in all National Wilderness and Parks.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have determined that 50% of the haze is generated from the six counties nearest to the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park.
25% of the haze comes from power plants.
20% of the haze comes from taconite plants (plants for refining low grade iron ore into high grade taconite (iron pellets).
Paper Mills and other source contribute the rest of the 50% of local pollution cause of the haze.
Minnesota was the first State to mandate a "Clear Air, Clean, Water" Legislation. Long before the cause was taken up by the Federal Government. So I am sure that MPCA, is up to the task. I am just unhappy that the pollution had to reach this level, before action is being taken!
Background information from St. Paul Pioneer Press
Both the BWCAW & Voyageur National Park are under the juridiction of the U.S Park Service, a branch to the U.S. Department of the Interior (along with the St. Croix River National Scenic & Wild Water River
-Voyageur National Park (178 square mile area) allows motored vessels and vehicles.
-Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (17,187 square mile area) bans all motorize vessels and all wheeled vehicles.
Both majority of both are accessable only by watercraft.
Voyageur National Park site
Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness site
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