Number: 1980-26
WHEREAS, 45,000,000 tons of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are produced east of the Rocky Mountains annually; and
WHEREAS, nearly 90 percent of that amount is produced by the United States; and
WHEREAS, most of these oxides are a result of burning coal; and
WHEREAS, these oxides combine with oxygen and water in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid; and
WHEREAS, the acid precipitation that falls on land and water causes the streams and lakes to become acidic; and
WHEREAS, the growth of plankton and the viability of spawn is inhibited by the acidic water; and
WHEREAS, many lakes in Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario and the Scandinavian countries have become devoid of fish because of acid rain, and lakes in the Michigan and Minnesota boundary waters are now being affected; and
WHEREAS, the United States Government is proposing to greatly expand the use of coal, both to make electricity and liquid fuel; and
WHEREAS, this greatly expanded use of coal will greatly increase the amount of acid precipitation that may cause tens of thousands of lakes to become devoid of fish unless steps are taken to prevent it;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 20-23, 1980, in Miami Beach, Fla., hereby urges that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Congress take all steps necessary to require that the best available technology be used to reduce the emissions of sulfur and nitrogen in all coal-using facilities to the minimum; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation and the Canadian Wildlife Federation whole-heartedly support a vigorous and comprehensive research and implementation program which seeks to solve the acid rain problem.