A May 29 brief mentioned the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Clean Air Act Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plan for Hawaii. Regional haze is defined by the EPA as "visibility impairment caused by the cumulative air pollutant emissions from numerous sources over a wide geographic area."
Apparently, they are going to try to achieve visibility goals at Haleakala and Volcanoes National Parks.
Who do they think they are kidding? Vog? Will vog be the vehicle to put sanctions on carbon dioxide, smoke from sugar cane harvesting and probably methane emitted by cattle at Haleakala Ranch? All these substances are emitted naturally from breathing, burning and bovine flatulence. But the EPA will argue they are among the numerous sources of regional haze over our wide geographic area.
Vog is a naturally occurring airborne particulate that causes visibility impairment, isn't it? All of Maui's and Hawaii's vog is naturally generated in Hawaii Volcanoes Park. Mother Nature gives us this pollutant from her volcanic vents. If it is created in the national park, is this one more opportunity for the boot of government to step on our freedoms to exhale, operate our sugar business and allow cows to graze on government-leased land in the name of vog?
Residents should tell the EPA to take their silly unattainable goals back to Washington and spare the taxpayer expense. This is how our government controls us, and all the reason for a new president to come in and seriously trim this federal agency's wings.
Thomas Fairbanks
Wailuku
