Implementation of the Clean Air Act and its impact

While Wisconsin and the nation have made progress in improving air quality under the 1970 and 1977 versions of the Clean Air Act, several serious problems remain that the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act are intended to address. These problems include acid deposition, hazardous air pollutant, stratospheric ozone depletion and urban air pollution. In advance of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, Wisconsin developed state programs addressing several of these problems including acid deposition, hazardous air pollutant, stratospheric ozone protection and ground level ozone control. Development of these state programs has position Wisconsin well for responding to requirements in the amended federal law. For example, state electrical utilities and citizens have and will continue to benefit from the introduction of a state acid deposition program in 1986. Wisconsin has also taken several steps in cooperation with Michigan, Illinois and Indiana to address the most significant air quality problem which is achieving ozone air quality in the area surrounding Lake Michigan. this paper outlines the state`s significant responsibilities under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and the steps the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has taken to involve interested and affected parties.