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7 

 A better understanding of the relationships between air pollution and 

 forest ecosystem health is vital to making informed decisions to 

 protect all forest ecosystems from damage by air pollutants. The need 

 for an ecosystem approach to air pollution research is stressed in the 

 Forest Ecosystems and Atmospheric Pollution Research Act of 1988 

 (Public Law 100-521) which directed the Forest Service to undertake 

 adequate long-term monitoring of the health of forest ecosystems. In 

 1990, we began implementation of a national Forest Health Monitoring 

 program in six New England states. Six additional eastern States were 

 added to this program in 1991, and in 1993 this initiative was 

 expanded to include the first western states- -Colorado and 

 California. This program is conducted in close cooperation with the 

 State forestry agencies and the EPA's Environmental Monitoring and 

 Assessment Program. 



One area that requires additional research and development is the 

 application of computer models for long distance transport of air 

 pollution. The determination of adverse impact in Class I areas from 

 proposed and some existing air pollution sources requires the use of 

 leading edge science and technology. Atmospheric modeling is a 

 critical tool for estimating impacts for proposed sources. 

 Unfortunately, the commonly used and recommended EPA models were not 

 designed for complex terrain or for distances beyond 50 kilometers, as 

 is often the case with Class I areas. A cooperative effort has been 

 established between EPA, the National Park Service, and the Forest 

 Service to adapt and refine models for this purpose. Progress is 



