WESTAR Critical Loads Workshop: Summing Up

Ira Domsky, Deputy DirectorArizona Depart of Environmental QualityNovember 16, 2005

Building the Scientific Base Science is rigorous and well founded

In some ways better than bases for NAAQS

Keying on the indicators Ambient monitoring network – good, but needs

protection Deposition monitoring network – marginal in scope

and potential utility Physical and chemical measurements of soil and

water Species diversity and populations Ecosystems

Diversity of Biotic Communities Alpine tundra Subalpine conifer

forest and lakes Hudsonian/mixed

conifer forest Arid conifer

woodland “Islands in the sky”

High desert Grasslands Evergreen woodlands Chaparral Low desert Riparian areas and

wetlands Ecotones

Building the Scientific Base Funding the research to solidify causal

links FLM budgets Clean Air Act grants to states and locals Universities Foundations Public/private partnerships

Other considerations Climate change impacts

Temperature Precipitation types, quantities and distribution

Existing programs – ozone, PM and Regional Haze

Population growth – traffic, energy and water

Oil and Gas development

Communicating value and values What resources are at risk that are of

concern to people Popular species

Ecosystem Services Watersheds and water resources Sustainability of timber and grazing Recreation – tourism, hunting and fishing

Next Steps – for discussion Develop an action plan Establish an ad hoc WESTAR work group Identify priority areas Move forward with test cases Seeking funding