25th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

WHEREAS, the implementation of national and local air pollution control strategies has failed to protect public health and environmental ecosystems in the New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces; and

WHEREAS, it has been amply demonstrated that the long-range transport of air pollution from sources outside the region contributes to smog, acid rain, regional haze, estuarine eutrophication and mercury deposition in the New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces; and

WHEREAS, recent efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide a measure of relief from the adverse effects of long-range air pollution transport have failed to provide meaningful reductions in transported air pollution; and

WHEREAS, the New England states are moving forward with the implementation of more stringent year-round emission controls on nitrogen oxides; and

WHEREAS, the Eastern Canadian provinces are moving forward with the implementation of the Post 2000 Canada Wide Acid Rain Strategy and the Canada Wide Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone; and

WHEREAS, the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers has adopted Acid Rain and Mercury work plans outlining priorities for the coming year;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers call upon the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada to intensify their efforts to implement effective emission reduction strategies targeting the upwind sources of the air pollution which is adversely impacting New England and Eastern Canada.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers direct the Committee on the Environment to move forward with its efforts in developing a communications strategy to enhance public understanding and action on the problem of transboundary air pollution.

Adopted at the 25th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, July 16-18, 2000.

- 30 -